Boyfriend has preservatives scent

Yes the title is weird. And before I even get into it, I have done some google searches and talked to him about it. I recommended he ask his doctor about it but I wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with this.

Me and my boyfriend have been together a few months now. During this time, I’ve noticed a week here and there that he smells like preservatives. Particularly the smell of a preserved animal that is about to be dissected. It’s not something I’ve ever encountered in my life and the timing couldn’t be worse because he’s having self image issues but I didn’t want to hide it from him.

The smell goes away after about a week or so and he’s back to smelling normal. I’ve thought maybe it’s hormones, maybe it’s a health issues, maybe it’s something he’s eating or taking. He does tie dye with powder and soda ash, he takes various vitamins, and he works out so he takes a lot of protein shakes. The thing is, he does all of this stuff all the time. So I’m not quite sure what it is and he hasn’t noticed the scent. He doesn’t work with any crazy chemicals, he works from home. And his clothes are washed by me and it’s not his clothes, it’s his skin.

I don’t want to be insensitive but the smell drives me crazy. I hate it but I don’t want him to feel like I’m grossed out by him or it. Has anyone gone through this or have any ideas as to what it may be?

I’m thinking also that it may be me? I’m on some different medications but my medications have stayed pretty consistent throughout our relationship. I’m not sure. I’ll talk to my doctor too.