The Creepy Truth About Tiny Creatures That Live on Your Face
When we think about the life forms living on our skin, bacteria usually come to mind — maybe fungi, too. But there’s another resident most people never consider: microscopic mites called Demodex folliculorum. These tiny creatures live deep inside facial pores, where they eat, reproduce, and spend their entire lives — often without us ever knowing they’re there.
Just How Common Are Face Mites?
Surprisingly, these mites are almost universal. Studies estimate that over 90 percent of adults host Demodex mites on their skin. Measuring just 0.3 millimeters long, they’re invisible to the naked eye and typically pass from person to person early in life. Some researchers believe transmission may even occur during close contact in infancy, such as breastfeeding. While their reputation may sound unsettling, humans and Demodex mites have coexisted for centuries.
