Is It True That East Asians Don’t Smell?

For years, there’s been an unusual claim floating around the internet: that East Asians—particularly Japanese and Korean people—don’t have body odor, or at least very little of it, even in sweaty areas like the armpits. It’s often described like some sort of genetic superpower, and it’s gained traction through forums, pop culture, and even beauty industry marketing. But how much of it is real science, and how much is just myth or cultural stereotyping?

Let’s break it down.

The Root of the Rumor: A Genetic Twist?

Interestingly, the belief that East Asians don’t produce body odor actually does have scientific backing—at least partially.

It all starts with a gene called ABCC11.

This gene controls the activity of apocrine sweat glands, which are primarily responsible for producing the kind of sweat that can become smelly. These glands are concentrated in places like the armpits and groin. When this sweat is broken down by skin bacteria, it produces the familiar scent we often associate with body odor.

Here’s the twist: A single-nucleotide mutation in the ABCC11 gene (called 538G>A) can cause these sweat glands to be non-functional. People who inherit this mutation from both parents often:

• Have dry, crumbly earwax instead of wet, sticky earwax
• Produce little to no body odor

This mutation is extremely common in East Asia:

• Over 96% of Koreans and 70–80% of Japanese carry the gene mutation.
• In contrast, only 2–5% of Europeans and virtually no Africans or South Asians have it.

So yes, the genetic side of the claim holds up—most East Asians literally produce less odor-causing sweat.

Sweat Glands: Not All Are Equal

Humans have two main types of sweat glands:

1. Eccrine glands – These regulate body temperature and are found all over the body.
2. Apocrine glands – Found mostly in the armpits and groin, and they’re the ones tied to odor.

Studies have shown that East Asians have fewer and less active apocrine glands, meaning there’s less of the fatty sweat that odor-causing bacteria feed on. This means:

• Less sweat → less bacteria → less odor.

The Skin Microbiome Factor

Another layer to this story is the bacteria on our skin. Bacteria break down the proteins in sweat into volatile compounds, which create odor.

• Europeans and South Asians tend to have higher levels of Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus, bacteria known for causing strong smells.
• East Asians often have a different bacterial profile, which may contribute to a milder or even odorless scent profile.

Lifestyle & Hygiene Habits

Genetics aside, hygiene practices also play a role in how people smell. East Asian cultures generally:

• Bathe more frequently
• Use exfoliation and skincare as daily rituals
• Eat diets lower in red meat and dairy (which can affect sweat odor)

However, these habits enhance the low-odor tendency rather than explain it completely.

Does This Mean Others Smell More?

Let’s be clear—having body odor is completely normal, and it varies from person to person. While East Asians may be genetically predisposed to have little to no body odor, it doesn’t mean everyone else smells “bad.” Rather:

• Europeans and Africans typically have active apocrine glands, and hence, more noticeable body odor.
• South Asians (like Indians, Pakistanis, etc.) also usually have active sweat glands, but body odor can vary based on diet, genetics, and environment.

So, Is It a Conspiracy or Truth?

It’s not a conspiracy, but it’s also not as magical as it sounds.

Yes, most East Asians are genetically less likely to smell because of a mutation in the ABCC11 gene. But body odor is a complex mix of:

• Genetics
• Skin microbiome
• Diet
• Hygiene
• Environmental factors

It’s just one more fascinating example of how our biology can differ based on ancestry.

Final Thoughts

The idea that some people don’t smell at all is exaggerated, but the genetic science behind odorless sweat in East Asians is real. Rather than treat body odor as a flaw, it helps to understand it as a natural function, deeply linked to our evolutionary and cultural backgrounds.

So next time you hear someone say, “Japanese or Korean people don’t even need deodorant,” you can smile and say: “Actually, there’s a gene for that.”