Human Skin Odor Throughout Life: A Literature Review

BACKGROUNDHuman skin continuously releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that constitute the skin volatilome, a dynamic chemical signature reflecting genetic, hormonal, microbial, and environmental influences.

OBJECTIVETo provide a comprehensive, critically appraised synthesis of current knowledge on the human skin volatilome across the lifespan, emphasizing age-related dynamics, sex-specific profiles, microbiome contributions, analytical methodologies, and translational applications, while systematically evaluating evidence quality and identifying knowledge gaps.

METHODSWe conducted a narrative review with systematic search methodology. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed from database inception to May 2026, following a pre-defined protocol. Of 487 initially identified records, 55 studies met the inclusion criteria following systematic screening, full-text assessment, and reference list review. Quality appraisal was performed using five predefined criteria (sample size adequacy, analytical validation, control for confounding, study design appropriateness, and reporting completeness), with studies graded as High (≥ 4 criteria met), Moderate (3 criteria met), or Low (≤ 2 criteria met). Data were synthesized thematically across six domains: chemical composition, lifespan dynamics, sex differences, microbiome determinants, analytical methodologies, and translational applications.

RESULTSAge-dependent transformations are well-documented: infant odor is dominated by acidic VOCs; puberty introduces qualitative changes via apocrine gland activation; reproductive-age profiles exhibit consistent sex-specific patterns; geriatric odor is characterized by 2-nonenal emergence. Quality appraisal revealed that 22 studies (38%) were rated high quality, 24 (41%) moderate, and 12 (21%) low, with small sample sizes (median n = 35) and lack of analytical validation being the primary limitations. The skin microbiome, particularly Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium, and Staphylococcus, significantly modulates odor profiles.

CONCLUSIONSThe skin volatilome reflects age, sex, microbiome, and health status. While VOC analysis offers promise as a noninvasive biosensing approach, methodological heterogeneity, limited longitudinal data, and incomplete mechanistic understanding constrain translation.

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