It’s also a lack of bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria will generally eat up the nasty smelling compounds. But most of us basically exterminate all of them whenever

It’s also a lack of bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria will generally eat up the nasty smelling compounds. But most of us basically exterminate all of them whenever we wash ourselves. They might be essential to good skin health. We’d be covered with them in the environment that evolved in. But there’s not much research being done yet in that field. I experimented with it a bit myself a while ago, both «mother dirts» commercial product and making a growth medium for them myself and adding some soil. Did a blind test with my wife to see if they affected smell, and there was a very clear difference. But where I live mother dirt is not available and it’s rather expensive anyway. The experiment encouraged me to use only the mildest body soaps and a gentler washing process which anecdotally has been good for my skin. Maybe I have a healthier skin microbiome now