Nonenal in your 30s and 40s: why the musty smell can start earlier than you expect
Nonenal is not only a problem for the over-60s. Production climbs from the late 30s, and many people in their 40s have it without a name for it. He...
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Where to buy persimmon soap in the US: near me, online, or direct
Persimmon soap, made with the tannin of unripe Japanese kaki fruit, is the standard answer in Japan to nonenal, the musty body odor that begins around age 40. In the US it is still an online product. This guide saves you the drive.
Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and Whole Foods
None of the major chains carries a dedicated Japanese persimmon tannin bar as a regular in-store line. You may find it listed on their websites through third-party marketplace sellers, which is effectively the same as buying on Amazon, with the same caveats. In store you will find charcoal, tea tree and antibacterial bars, which address sweat odor but not nonenal.
Asian grocery stores
Larger Japanese and Korean grocery chains in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Houston sometimes stock persimmon soap in the personal care aisle. Stock is unpredictable and the bars are often small. If you live near one, it is worth a look; if not, online is faster.
Amazon
Amazon has dozens of listings and this is where most Americans first buy persimmon soap. The quality range is wide. Before you buy:
- Find the ingredient list and check that persimmon or kaki extract is actually listed, not just a persimmon fragrance.
- Look for moisturizing ingredients alongside the tannin, especially if you are over 50 and your skin runs dry.
- Prefer lightly scented bars. Heavy fragrance masks odor rather than removing it.
- Read the two and three-star reviews. They tell you more than the five-star ones.
Buying direct
KAKIORA Japanese persimmon soap is a kaki tannin bar with a gentle, soap-free base of coconut-derived cleansers, glycerin and skin-softening emollients, so it suits daily use on mature skin. It is available in 2, 3 and 6-bar packs with delivery to all US states, free with a subscription, and every order carries a 60-day money-back promise. One bar lasts about two weeks of daily use on the hot spots: behind the ears, back of the neck, chest, back and scalp.
How much should you pay?
Genuine tannin bars from established brands generally cost between $10 and $20 per bar when bought singly, and noticeably less per bar in multi-packs. Bars under $5 usually contain very little persimmon. If a listing is much cheaper than everything else, that is the reason.
What to do while you wait for delivery
Nonenal transfers to fabric, so wash pillowcases and shirt collars in hot water and let bedding air. It also helps to shower in the evening rather than the morning, because most nonenal forms overnight. Our article on how to get rid of old person smell covers the full routine.
