Japanese Hygiene Rules Nobody Taught You (From A Perfume Maker Who Grew Up In Japan)

Perfume and Body Odor

Sho Ito, a perfume maker who grew up in Tokyo, argues that perfume should add fragrance—not cover body odor. Odor often develops when skin bacteria break down sweat and skin oils. People may not notice their own smell because they become accustomed to it.

Hygiene Tips and Routines

• Wash towels regularly and dry them quickly. A sour laundry smell can come from bacteria such as Moraxella. The video recommends washing towels after each use when practical and drying laundry thoroughly. Sunlight alone may not eliminate the bacteria.
• Dry your body carefully. Warm, damp skin folds can encourage bacterial or yeast growth. Pay attention to areas such as behind the ears, the neck, underarms, groin, and between the toes. A hair dryer on its cool setting is suggested for hard-to-dry areas.
• Wash in the evening. The video describes a Japanese bathing routine of washing outside the tub before soaking. More broadly, washing at night removes the day’s sweat and skin oil before bed.
• Use body wipes when washing isn’t possible. Wipes can remove sweat and bacteria, especially in summer. Sho says washing is his first choice.
• Choose antiperspirant or deodorant based on the issue. Antiperspirant reduces sweating, while deodorant addresses odor. Antiperspirant may help people who sweat heavily, and applying it at night may work better for some. However, the cited study was small and industry-funded. Avoid applying antiperspirant immediately after shaving.
• Keep clothing clean and consider fabric. The video cites a study in which polyester shirts smelled stronger than cotton ones after exercise, and suggests cotton for the layer closest to the skin. Wash clothes regularly, especially collars, and don’t overlook pillowcases. In winter, wash coats or at least their collars.
• For age-related odor (“kareishū”), focus on ordinary washing. The video attributes this odor to 2-nonenal, a compound formed as skin oils change and oxidize with age. It recommends washing areas such as behind the ears, the neck, chest, and back, rather than relying on special soaps or citrus remedies that the speaker says have limited evidence.
• Apply perfume last. Wash and dry first, keep products underneath perfume unscented if possible, and apply fragrance only to clean, comfortable skin—not irritated skin or skin folds. If fragrance causes a reaction, check product labels.

Questions to Remember

The speaker suggests asking:

1. Am I removing odor or just covering it?
2. Is anything damp that should be dry?
3. Is there a spot my nose can’t easily detect?

He also cautions against panicking about aging: a study cited in the video found that odor from its oldest age group was rated less strong and unpleasant than odor from younger groups.

Notable Locations, Products, and Speakers

Tokyo and Japanese bathing routines; Sho Ito; Gatsby body wipes; Kao laundry research; Panasonic survey; Shiseido research and advice; Mandom; persimmon soap (kakishibu).