Tiny mites that naturally live on the human face
Image credit: luvqs via Unsplash
Microscopic mites, known as Demodex, live on nearly every human face, residing in hair follicles and pores. Though tiny and closely related to spiders and ticks, Demodex mites are generally harmless and even help by cleaning up dead skin cells and oils. While invisible to the naked eye, they are a natural part of our skin's ecosystem and have evolved alongside humans. First identified in 1842, they remain somewhat of a mystery, with ongoing research exploring their role in skin health, as well as potential links to certain skin conditions when their populations become imbalanced.
Source
Rather PA, Hassan I. Human demodex mite: the versatile mite of dermatological importance. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Jan;59(1):60-6. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.123498. PMID: 24470662; PMCID: PMC3884930.
Additional Reading
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/21/725087824/meet-the-mites-that-live-on-your-face
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/you-almost-certainly-have-mites-on-your-face