Why do Koreans barely use deodorant? The scientific reason will surprise you.

Every so often, the same question goes viral: Is it true that people in Korea barely use deodorant? The short answer is: on average, many people produce less underarm odor. But not because of "special hygiene" or a miraculous diet, but because of genetics.

What causes underarm odor?

Underarm odor is not caused by sweat itself, but by the bacteria that live on the skin. They break down certain substances released by apocrine glands and generate strong-smelling compounds. If the body releases less of these substances, there is less odor.

Do Asians not smell?

Here's the key factor: a variant of the ABCC11 gene. Scientific studies have shown that a specific version of this gene is associated with lower production of the precursors responsible for underarm odor. This variant is much more frequent in East Asian populations. In a study of over 17,000 people, those with this variant were almost five times more likely to not use deodorant regularly.

Fun fact: the same gene also influences the type of earwax (dry vs. wet). That is, the human body connects things we would never imagine.

Nobody uses deodorant in Korea

Now, this doesn't mean that "no one smells" or that no one uses deodorant in Korea. Genetics play a role, but climate, diet, skin microbiota, clothing, and social norms also matter. In fact, with globalization and lifestyle changes, deodorant consumption in Korea has been increasing.

So, is it a myth or reality? It's a viral simplification of a real biological phenomenon. Some people, anywhere in the world, produce very little underarm odor. In East Asia, this characteristic is statistically more common.

The most interesting conclusion is not cultural, but biological: body odor is not the same for everyone, and genetics can completely change the experience.