Episode 441: Demodex, Rosacea, Acne, and Dermatitis

In today’s episode of the Naturally Nourished Podcast, we’re getting up close and personal with an 8-legged creature that’s probably living on your face right now (yep, really). We’re diving into all things Demodex—a microscopic parasitic mite that lives in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, especially around the eyes. While most of us cohabitate peacefully with these tiny freeloaders, an overgrowth can trigger all kinds of skin and eye concerns, from blepharitis and ocular eczema to acne-like breakouts and rosacea flare-ups.

We’ll unpack the science behind Demodex overgrowth, how it can drive inflammation and contribute to skin conditions that often go misdiagnosed or mistreated, and what to look out for if you’re dealing with stubborn rashes or redness around the eyes, nose, or cheeks. Of course, we’ll also walk you through food-as-medicine strategies and functional tools—from supporting the microbiome to choosing the right topicals—to help get things back in balance. Tune in for the nitty gritty (literally) and leave empowered with new ways to support clear skin and resilient immune function from the inside out.

Also in this episode: 

• • What are Demodex mites and what do they do?
  • Symptoms of mite overgrowth
  • Risk factors for overgrowth
  • The skin-gut-immune connection
    • GI Immune Builder
  • Research linking Demodex to rosacea
    • Zhao et al. (2011): Significantly higher mite density in patients with rosacea.
    • Forton & De Maertelaer (2013): Demodicosis may trigger inflammatory and vascular responses seen in rosacea.
    • Zhao YE, et al. (2012): Meta-analysis of case-control studies showing strong association between Demodex and rosacea.
  • Probiotic strains for skin
    • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
    • Lactobacillus plantarum
    • Bifidobacterium longum
    • Targeted Strength Probiotic
    • Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic
    • Women’s Flora Probiotic
    • Probiotic Challenge
  • DIY skincare options for mite balance
    • Green tea extract (EGCG)
    • Tea tree oil (at 5-50% concentration for lid scrubs)
    • Raw honey masks
    • Diluted apple cider vinegar toner
    • Bentonite Clay
    • Castor Oil
      • Randomized trial of topical periocular castor oil treatment for blepharitis - PubMed
    • Neem Oil