[tomkinstinch]

The community of microbes resident on skin (or rather, their metabolites) has also been shown to influence attractiveness to mosquitos[1]. Interestingly, some taxa were associated with decreased attraction, which the authors of the linked study hypothesize is due to a masking effect. Skin probiotics may be on the horizon for mosquito deterrence and other applications (think acne, eczema, etc.). The composition of the skin microbiome is influenced by diet, host genetics, environment, and other factors (sun exposure, hygeine, etc.).

1. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal....

[car]

This company is working on an acne treatment based on bacteria: http://www.nakedbiome.com

[seymour333]

This is super fascinating, thanks for the link.

The next time I go on a nature walk I am going to soak myself in a bathtub full of bleach first, I'll be invisible.