With respect to skin these bacteria are mainly members of the genera Propionibacterium and Stap hylococcus, but Micrococcus and Corynebacterium species also feature and the abundance depends on which site is being sampled.

The majority of these bacteria reside at the surface of the skin and to a lesser extent in the sweat and sebaceous glands. Thus any cleaning actions or application of cosmetic products will mainly impact and interact with the microbes on the epidermis.