Teenagers' body odor differs from infants and toddlers due to higher carboxylic acid concentration in underarm sweat, linked to reactivated sebaceous glands and potential independence assertion.

A study in Communications Chemistry reveals that teenagers' body odor differs significantly from infants and toddlers, with a higher concentration of carboxylic acids in teenagers' underarm sweat. This change in scent is linked to the reactivation of sebaceous glands and may have evolved to help teenagers assert independence. The study could aid in developing more effective odour control products.