CR’s Best Insect Repellents of 2023 | Consumer Reports
DEET is the most effective insect repellent available, and it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, DEET can be irritating to the skin, especially for people with sensitive skin.
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DEET insect repellent
Picaridin is another effective insect repellent that is less likely to irritate the skin than DEET. It is also recommended by the CDC and WHO.
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Picaridin insect repellent
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a natural insect repellent that is derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree. It is less effective than DEET or picaridin, but it is a good option for people with sensitive skin or who prefer to avoid using synthetic chemicals.
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Oil of lemon eucalyptus insect repellent
When choosing an insect repellent, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The type of insects you are trying to repel. Different insect repellents are more effective against some insects than others. For example, DEET is the most effective repellent against mosquitoes and ticks, but oil of lemon eucalyptus is more effective against chiggers.
- The amount of time you will be spending outdoors. If you are only going to be outdoors for a short period of time, you may be able to get away with using a less effective insect repellent. However, if you are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, you will need to use a more effective repellent to stay protected.
- Your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, you will need to choose an insect repellent that is less likely to irritate your skin.
Here are some specific insect repellent recommendations for 2023:
- Best overall insect repellent: OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent with 25% DEETOpens in a new windowoff.comOFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent with 25% DEET
- Best insect repellent for sensitive skin: Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect RepellentOpens in a new windowwww.consumerreports.orgNatrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
- Best insect repellent for kids: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect RepellentOpens in a new windowwww.ebay.comSawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent
- Best insect repellent for clothes: Sawyer Products Permethrin Insect Repellent SprayOpens in a new windowwww.walmart.comSawyer Products Permethrin Insect Repellent Spray
No matter which insect repellent you choose, be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully. Apply the repellent to all exposed skin, and reapply it every two to four hours. You may need to reapply more often if you are sweating or swimming.