The 6 Best Mosquito Repellents, According to Our Tests

Marisa Olsen
·17 min read

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Stay bite-free with these lotions and sprays.

<p>Courtesy of Brand</p>

Courtesy of Brand

There’s nothing worse than enjoying an evening al fresco, tinkering in the garden or camping in the wilderness only to have a swarm of mosquitoes ruin it. Not only are mosquito bites an inconvenience and a nuisance, but they can even be potentially dangerous. Fortunately, there are mosquito repellents that can help combat these pesky flying pests.

Finding the perfect mosquito repellent can feel overwhelming, though, given the myriad formulas on the market containing DEET, picaridin and other active ingredients. And it’s hard to know what’s safe and effective, especially for children or those with sensitive skin. We’ve researched, spritzed, sprayed and slathered on some of the leading bug-repelling products to find the best mosquito repellents available. Read on to discover our top picks for keeping yourself bite- and scratch-free.

Our Mosquito Repellent Recommendations

Best Overall, Picaridin: OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent II (5% Picaridin)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: The unscented spritz formula goes on without any greasy residue and keeps mosquitos at bay.

What to know: We wish this spray came in a larger bottle.

OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent II is our choice for the best mosquito coverage with picaridin. This is an unscented spritz that sprays on without the grease and actually repels mosquitos. The formula features 5% of picaridin as the most active ingredient and is touted to be family-friendly.

The plastic bottle has a bright orange cap and a pump spray applicator. This repellent was easy to spritz without making a mess and provided even coverage on our skin. We appreciated the non-oily texture of the spritz and did not feel any buildup on our skin or clothes, even when we got a bit sweaty.

Despite being outside in a buggy area for almost two hours, we didn’t sustain any bites. The 4-ounce bottle was great for throwing in a bag for on-the-go mosquito coverage. Our only wish was that there was a larger version of the spray, as it does get used up quickly.

Type: Spray | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredients: Picaridin | Protects Against: Mosquitos

Best Overall, DEET: OFF! Active Insect Repellent I (15% DEET)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: This long-lasting, sweat-resistant formula is designed to keep you bite-free for hours without reapplying.

What to know: A little goes a long way with this stuff.

If you're on Team DEET, we found OFF! Active Insect Repellent is an excellent choice when you’re outside and building up a sweat. This product features 15% DEET as its active ingredient and utilizes a sweat-resistant formula to combat lactic acid, which can attract certain bugs. This spray is designed to repel mosquitoes that may carry Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, as well as flies, fleas and ticks.

We found that this repellent lives up to its promise as a long-lasting spray. We tested this spray outside and could go for up to four hours without any re-applications—and we were totally bite-free the whole time.

A little goes a long way, and the aerosol application works well, so we could easily spray as much or as little of the product as we needed. We could even spray our bodies with the bottle held upside down. It was easy to evenly distribute the product on our skin without any streaks or residue, and we didn’t notice any greasiness or harsh odors.

OFF! Active Insect Repellent did not stain our clothes, and we did not observe any lingering odors on our clothing. The bottles are also available in 6- or 9-oz. sizes, which we could easily fit in our bags when traveling.

Type: Aerosol spray | Size: 6 or 9 oz. | Active Ingredients: DEET | Protects Against: Mosquitos, gnats, biting flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers

Best with SPF: Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard + IR3535 Gentle Breeze SPF Lotion

<p>Avon</p>

Avon

What we like: This bug-repelling formula includes an SPF of 30 for additional sun coverage.

What to know: This lotion is so popular it often goes out of stock.

Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard + IR3535 Gentle Breeze SPF Lotion gives a two-for-one punch thanks to the bug repellent formula and SPF 30 sun protection. The active ingredient IR3535 is designed to repel a variety of biting insects, including mosquitos, black flies, ticks, gnats, sand flies, no-see-ums and midges.

The formula is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic as well as PABA-free and DEET-free, with added aloe, vitamin E and SPF. The formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and Avon recommends reapplying the lotion every two hours.

This lotion comes in a 4-oz. plastic squeeze bottle with a bright orange cap. We found Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard easy to extract from the squeeze bottle, and it spread on our skin evenly. The lotion was non-greasy and sunk right into our skin without feeling heavy or bothersome. We recommend shaking the bottle before using it, though, as we noticed the formula would start to separate. And we did need to reapply every two hours as suggested, as the lotion’s activeness does fade.

Type: Lotion | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredients: IR3535 | Protects Against: Mosquitos, black flies, ticks, gnats, sand flies, no-see-ums, midges

Best Lotion: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: This repellent is easy to apply and effective without staining clothes.

What to know: The lotion feels a little greasy after applying (but it absorbs into the skin quickly).

This Sawyer lotion offers 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks, and up to eight hours of protection against chiggers, fleas, no-see-ums, gnats and biting flies. The DEET-free formula features an active ingredient of 20% picaridin.

Before applying, the bottle should be gently shaken to prevent separation. We found the lotion easy to apply from the bottle spout and noticed a faint, pleasant citrus scent we enjoyed. The lotion has a whiteish hue and wasn’t gooey in texture. We found the formula a little greasy at first, but within roughly 5 minutes, the lotion fully absorbed into our skin without leaving a white cast, and the scent dissipated.

The formula did not fade or wash off, and it was very effective while we were outside, including near lakes and grassy areas, even at dusk. After testing, we didn’t notice any staining on our clothes.

Type: Lotion | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredients: Picaridin | Protects Against: Mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, fleas, no-see-ums, gnats, biting flies

Best Long-Lasting: Sawyer Products Controlled Release Insect Repellent (20% DEET)

<p>Walmart</p>

Walmart

What we like: This EPA-approved formula releases its active ingredients over time, giving it long-lasting effectiveness.

What to know: The texture of this lotion can feel greasy on the skin.

For a long-lasting, family-friendly bug spray, Sawyer Products Controlled Release Insect Repellent is our top choice. This repellent uses a long-lasting, controlled-release formula with 20% DEET as its active ingredient.

The DEET is designed to be absorbed over time, helping to extend the length of effectiveness, and the formula is made to be compatible with sunscreen. The repellent is composed of a lotion that comes in a plastic squeeze bottle, which we found easy to apply—and, in our experience, a little goes a long way.

We tested this lotion outside on a hot sunny day in the garden with many bugs present, and after 8 hours in the hot sun, we did not get bitten. We'll note, though, that we reapplied the product every 2 to 3 hours while we were outside.

We noticed that while the lotion is easy to spread, a slight greasy residue remained that took about an hour to sink into our skin. While the manufacturer labels this repellent as unscented, we detected a slight odor that we did not love. However, the scent faded and never infiltrated our clothes or stained the fabric.

Type: Lotion | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredients: DEET | Protects Against: Mosquitoes and ticks

Best for Sensitive Skin: EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: With a generous 14-hour mosquito protection formula that’s safe for pregnant people to use, you'll be bound to be bug-free all day or evening.

What to know: It’s not as water-resistant as we would have liked.

For sensitive skin, the EarthKind Stay Away formula is our choice due to the unscented, child- and pregnancy-safe formula. The spray is designed for up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks and up to eight hours of protection from gnats, chiggers and biting flies, thanks to an active ingredient of 20% picaridin.

We found the spray to be easy to use, but the applicator may leak a bit on the label and become a little goopy. While the company claims the spray is water-resistant, we discovered the product did not quite live up to this promise, as we did have to reapply more frequently when our skin was wet. Despite our disappointment in the water-resistant claims, we found the formula to be hard-working and loved how well the formula worked on dry skin and how safe the spray felt on our children's and families’ sensitive skin.

EarthKind Stay Away comes in a 4-oz. plastic bottle with a spray cap and is available in one or two packs as well as travel-sized four- and 12-packs. The company also offers a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee, so if you’re not fully pleased with the product, you can get reimbursed.

Type: Spray | Size: 4 oz. | Active Ingredients: Picaridin | Protects Against: Mosquitos, ticks, gnats, chiggers, biting flies

The Bottom Line: The Best Mosquito Repellents

The bottom line is mosquitoes and other common flying insects shouldn’t affect your time outdoors. Thanks to myriad mosquito repellents—from long-lasting to DEET-free to unscented—there are plenty of bug repellent formulas that will be effective so you can spend your time focusing on more enjoyable activities outdoors. Our top pick for picaridin-based bug repellent is OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent II (available at Amazon), and if you’re looking for a DEET-based repellent, we love OFF! Active Insect Repellent I (also available at Amazon).

Choosing a Mosquito Repellent

What Are the Active Ingredients?

Active ingredients are the powerhouses in mosquito repellents that help keep the mosquitos at bay. The most common is DEET, which is a synthetic chemical that has been used for decades as an effective mosquito repellent. More recent formulas also include plant-based picaridin and IR3535, which are other safe alternatives to consider. Bear in mind that each mosquito formula will highlight the active ingredient as well as the percentage used of that active ingredient. For instance, there tends to be a range from 5% to 20% of the active ingredient depending on the formula, and the different concentrations outline effective coverage time.

How Do You Apply It?

Many of us have memories of spraying chemical-laden bug spray on our bodies and holding our breaths to prevent inhaling the fumes. Thankfully, many formulas are safer and less odorous nowadays, and there are several types of mosquito repellent applicators available without the chemical-heavy scents. While there are still aerosol spray cans, other formulas include a lotion format packaged in plastic squeeze bottles or sprays or spritz formats that come in plastic spray pumps. These types of applicators may be more gentle and easy to apply. Thinking about your preferred application style can help you narrow down the right mosquito repellent for you.

How Long Is It Effective?

Each mosquito formula is designed uniquely, but fortunately, much of the technology makes reapplication fewer and far between. Some formulas are designed to be effective for a certain amount of time, depending on the bug species it’s designed to repel. For instance, a repellent may fend off mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours while only repelling gnats and flies for 8 hours. Some mosquito repellents are water-resistant, and some even have SPF. It’s a good idea always to read the fine print on the bottle to learn more about each repellent before purchasing it.

Is It Safe to Use?

Courtney Csikesz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist at South Coast Dermatology in Weymouth, Massachusetts, weighed in on the safety of mosquito repellents. “Both DEET and Picaridin are safe ingredients, and I suggest sticking to 20 to 30% DEET concentrations,” says Csikesz. “Try to avoid putting mosquito repellents on infants under 2 months old, and do not use insect repellent on or under clothing or spray on faces. When applying mosquito repellent to children, spray your hands first, then rub the repellent on their face. Lastly, do not use combined sunscreen/repellents as the sunscreen might not be as effective.” Should you ingest mosquito repellent, it’s strongly suggested that you consult with poison control.

Our Mosquito Repellent Tests

We enlisted a panel of testers to gauge the effectiveness of over 15 different mosquito repellents in both spray and lotion forms (and even some wipes). We applied the repellent to a small test patch on our arms to make sure there were no adverse skin reactions. We then applied the repellent to our whole arm and waited for it to dry. We noted the texture of the spray on our skin (i.e., greasy, lightweight, etc.), how long it took to dry, how well it absorbed into our skin, and the scent (i.e., mild, strong, fruity, astringent, unpleasant, etc). We also spritzed the repellent that was on our skin with water to see whether the repellent ran or if it was absorbed into our skin.

We also applied the repellent when we went outside at least five times, both on ourselves and on others. We noted whether the repellent stayed on throughout the day or if it sweated off easily. We also checked to see if the listed efficacy time was accurate and if bugs bit us despite using the repellent.

Finally, we weighed in on the ease of use, value and overall quality of each repellant, and whether or not it stained or transferred onto our clothes before making our top picks for this list.

We Also Considered

Natrapel Tick and Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin) ($22 for a 2-pack at Amazon): This formula was very effective at keeping bugs at bay, but the application process was messy, and we often ended up with too much product. We also did not love the strong chemical scent that lingered on our clothes.

Coleman IR3535 SkinSmart DEET Free Insect Repellent Spray ($10 at Amazon): The pump and nozzle made it easy to apply this product, and we didn't notice any greasiness or stickiness after spraying it on our skin. However, the bottle was a bit large for some of our bags, so this may not be the most travel-friendly option.

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Aerosol (25% DEET) ($12 at Amazon): We found this bug spray's scent unpleasant and chemical-heavy. Additionally, we noticed the repellent did not seem to effectively keep bugs away.

Ben’s 30% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes ($27 for a 4-pack at Amazon): We liked the effectiveness of this bug repellent, but we needed to use a lot of product to ensure we had solid and even coverage. The applicator pump was also leaky, and we got excess product on our hands.

Common Questions

How does mosquito repellent work?

Csikesz explains, "Mosquitoes are attracted to our human smell and the carbon dioxide that we release when we exhale.” Mosquito repellents "work by interfering with a mosquito’s sense of smell and taste so they aren’t able to identify a human to bite.”

Do mosquito repellents also repel other bugs?

In a nutshell, “Yes!” says Csikesz. Every mosquito repellent is unique and designed to repel specific bugs, depending on the formula. Most repellents will outline the types of bugs the formula repels as well as the length of coverage. Csikesz explains that coverage depends on the active ingredient. “For instance, DEET-containing repellents are also effective against ticks, fleas, biting flies and chiggers,” she says. “Whereas, Picaridin-containing repellents are also effective against ticks and biting flies.” The length of coverage will depend on the specific formula, as well.

Are mosquito repellents safe for kids?

Bug bites are irritating and an annoyance for anyone, but they can be very uncomfortable for smaller children. If you’re wondering if children can safely use mosquito repellent, Csikesz offers the following tips: “I highly suggest using mosquito repellent on children over two months of age. Try to use enough to lightly cover the skin—more is not better, and we don’t want more than is necessary.”

Does mosquito repellent expire?

While mosquito repellent may not technically expire, the formula will get less effective over time. “It is generally accepted that mosquito repellent is good for three years,” Csikesz says. “Repellent doesn’t actually ‘expire,’ but it will become less effective, so it should be replaced after three years.” Additionally, it’s a good idea to always check the label for suggested expiration dates.

Is picaridin better or safer than DEET?

To help us understand the difference between the popular active ingredients, Csikesz explains that DEET- and picaridin-containing insect repellents are similarly effective at preventing insect bites. “While the use of DEET in young children has been questioned, studies performed by the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that normal use on the skin (avoiding ingestion) is safe for children and adults,” says Csikesz.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not exceeding DEET concentrations of 30% in children,” she adds. “I would recommend using DEET concentrations between 20 to 30% as toxicity may increase with higher percentages. A few benefits of picaridin-containing repellents compared to DEET are that they do not damage plastics or fabrics, and they typically have no scent.”

Does citronella actually repel mosquitoes?

Citronella and other herbs and plants have a reputation for helping to deter mosquitoes. Csikesz gives us some more insight into the use of these plants: “Citronella and other plant-derived repellents can help to repel mosquitoes, but their efficacy is significantly lower than picaridin and DEET-containing repellents,” she says. Instead, Csikesz suggests using citronella, other essential oils and candles as supplemental protection. “I would not rely on them alone for prevention against mosquito bites, especially in areas with mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus,” she says.

Our Trusted Expertise

Our writer, Marisa Olsen, has more than 10 years of experience writing and reporting on food, lifestyle, and product reviews. She has written for multiple publications, including Chowhound, EatingWell, Southern Living, The Spruce Eats, Food & Wine, Byrdie and Liquor.com. Marisa and her family spend a lot of time outside in the garden and at the beach, so finding a family-friendly mosquito repellent is very important.

For this article, we consulted with dermatologist Courtney Csikesz, MD, of South Coast Dermatology in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Csikesz outlined vital information about mosquito repellent and how to use repellent effectively and safely.

This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes—and was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior commerce editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing nutrition and health content.

Read the original article on Eating Well.