Acne will get worse as mites that feed on the face die out

A MICROSCOPIC skin mite that wakes up at night to feed on human sleep hormones and mate on our faces might not sound like it is worth saving.

But scientists are concerned that the tiny bug Demodex folliculorum could become extinct, possibly leading to more skin conditions in humans.

Scientists at the University of Reading have carried out the first full DNA analysis of the mites, which are around 0.33mm long, and live on human hair follicles, feeding on the sebum which is released in the pores.

Without them, the researchers say, humans could end up with oily, clogged pores, leading to skin complaints.

Dr Alejandra Perotti, associate professor in invertebrate biology at the university, added: “Perhaps the lack of them will generate other problems we are not aware of yet.”

The team also found that the mites have been wrongly blamed for causing a number of skin conditions when they are likely to be more beneficial than harmful.

The research is published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.