Goodbye Body Odor: The Truth About Skin Gas and the Soap That Helps

Most of us think sweat is the main reason we smell, but it turns out there's more to it. New research shows that our bodies release invisible gases through the skin called skin gas that can actually be a big reason behind body odor. Once you understand how it works, it becomes easier to manage naturally.

What is skin gas? A general term for gas generated from the body

Our skin is constantly giving off tiny invisible gases, even if we don’t notice it. These gases are usually harmless, but some can mix with bacteria or react with what’s going on inside our bodies. That is when odor happens.

This is what scientists call “skin gas.” It is a broad term for the natural compounds our bodies release through the skin. While sweat often gets the blame, skin gas might actually be a bigger reason behind lingering smells.

Researchers have found over 800 different types so far, and a few of them are directly linked to body odor, especially when combined with bacteria or internal imbalances.
These odor-producing skin gases originate from three primary routes:

1. From Sebum

One of the most common sources of body odor comes from the mix of sweat and sebum, which is the natural oil your skin produces. On their own, sweat and oil don’t smell. The odor starts when they sit on your skin too long and get broken down by bacteria.
This process creates strong smells, often described as greasy or oily, and is especially noticeable in areas like the neck, face, chest, and back. These spots tend to sweat more and produce more oil, which gives bacteria a perfect place to grow.

Odor from sweat and oil usually gets worse when:

• Sweat stays on the skin for too long

• There is poor hygiene or ventilation

• The skin’s natural balance of bacteria is off

2. From Blood

Sometimes, body odor comes from inside the body, not just the skin. Certain smells are caused by compounds in your bloodstream that are released through your pores. These can create scents like alcohol, sharp sourness, or something that just lingers.
For example:

• Acetaldehyde comes from alcohol and can leave a leftover booze-like smell on your skin

• Ammonia builds up when you're really tired or stressed and gives off a sharp scent

 • Ketones appear during fasting or low-carb diets and can create a sweet or fruity smell

Since this kind of odor comes from the inside, showering alone usually won’t help. The smell tends to come from the whole body and lasts longer. To manage it, you need to support your health from within.

These odors tend to be systemic coming from the entire body, rather than specific areas and often persist even after showering.

3. From Sweat 

Another source of odor comes from the sweat glands, especially the ones in your armpits, groin, feet, and palms. These areas produce more protein-rich sweat, which bacteria love to break down. That’s what causes strong, sour smells—sometimes like vinegar.
This type of odor is more common when:

• You do not sweat often, like when spending a lot of time in air conditioning or being inactive

 • Your sweat gets thicker and takes longer to dry, which makes the smell stick around

The less you sweat, the more likely your glands produce sticky sweat that carries a stronger smell. Keeping these areas clean and active helps reduce buildup.

How to Deal With Skin Gases?

Once you understand where body odor is coming from, the next step is knowing how to manage it. Since each route of skin gas originates differently, the solutions must also be tailored to the cause.

1. Dealing with Odor from Sweat & Sebum

This is the most manageable form of odor, it lives on the skin’s surface and can usually be washed off. However, timing and technique matter. If sweat and oil are not removed promptly, bacteria begin to break them down, producing unpleasant smells. Consistent hygiene and gentle cleansing are essential to prevent odor from developing throughout the day.

What you can do?

• Wipe sweat quickly using a wet towel or body wipes. Dry towels tend to stimulate more sweat.

• Take a morning shower, especially after a warm night’s sleep. Discover how bathing can improve sleep and support smart aging.

• Wear breathable fabrics to minimize sweating and bacterial growth.
Stay in ventilated areas to reduce bacterial buildup on the skin.

Sweat related odor responds well to topical hygiene, making cleansing your skin a key part of your daily routine. 

2. Dealing with Odor from the Blood

This type of odor is more internal. While it may not fully go away with just a shower, certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce its intensity.  Since the odor is linked to compounds in the bloodstream, improving digestion, hydration, and liver function can help flush out toxins more efficiently. Over time, these small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your body smells from the inside out.

What you can do?

• Limit alcohol intake to reduce acetaldehyde in the bloodstream.

• Improve your gut health with foods like yogurt, kefir, or fiber-rich fruits. Many of which are featured in our guide to the top foods for healthy skin. 

• Stay hydrated to support kidney and liver detoxification.

• Get consistent sleep to balance cortisol and ammonia levels.

• Manage stress through meditation, breathwork, or light exercise.

This type of odor may need a combination of internal wellness and external odor control for best results.

3.  Dealing with Odor from Sweat Glands

While similar to sweat/sebum odor, this form is deeper and more persistent especially in hot weather or high-humidity environments. The presence of protein and fatty acids in this type of sweat makes it more prone to bacterial breakdown, leading to stronger odors. Inactive or blocked sweat glands can also contribute to thicker, more odorous sweat that lingers on the skin.

What you can do?

• Encourage healthy sweating by using saunas, taking warm baths, or exercising.

• Wipe sweat promptly from underarms, groin, and feet with wet towels.

• Avoid blocking sweat glands with harsh antiperspirants that may irritate the skin.

• Cleanse these areas daily, ideally using products designed to neutralize sweat gland odors.

People who sweat regularly often smell less than those who rarely sweat, because their bodies eliminate odor-producing compounds more efficiently.

A Natural Way to Stay Fresh

When dealing with skin gas and body odor, the solution isn't to block sweat entirely, it’s about working with your body’s biology.

That’s why gentle, science-backed cleansing solutions are important. Products designed to break down odor-causing compounds (rather than just mask them) can make a significant difference in your confidence and comfort.

At Mirai Clinical, we formulate our products to target the root causes of body odor, especially nonenal, the compound associated with aging-related odor.

Our Deodorizing Persimmon Soap is powered by Japanese persimmon extract, which naturally eliminates body odors caused by skin gas without synthetic fragrances, sulfates, or parabens. It supports a healthy skin barrier while neutralizing odors effectively.

Whether you’re dealing with oily skin, stress-induced odors, or simply looking for a fresher daily cleanse, this soap is designed to help you feel confident in your own skin every single day.

Explore our Body Odor Control Collection and say goodbye to body odor, the natural way.