10 DEET-FREE NATURAL BUG REPELLENTS TO HELP KEEP YOU BITE-FREE ALL SUMMER LONG
Got 99 problems but a mosquito bite ain’t one. 😎
One downside to warmer weather? Bug bites. Waking up covered with those itchy red welts is enough to make you wish winter lasted all year (OK, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but still). Unfortunately, a lot of bug repellents give us that sticky, I-just-doused-myself-in-chemicals feeling.
Many parents are leery of the ingredient DEET that can be found in some mainstream bug repellents, as they are worried about the potential dangers and side effects. To learn more about this controversial ingredient, we spoke with Dr. Jeannette Graf, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
She tells Best Products, “Bug sprays that contain DEET have been considered the most effective repellents for years, and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The ingredient is safe and long-lasting.” Unfortunately, however, sprays containing DEET can be oily and irritating to people with very sensitive skin, and children are sometimes turned off by sprays with this ingredient, according to Graf.
DEET-FREE INSECT REPELLENTS
Easy Application: Squito Ban Spray
Customer Favorite: Off! Botanicals
Best Organic: Hello Bello Bug Repellent
Most Affordable: Repel Lemon-Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Best Smell: All Terrain Kids Spray
Best Incense: Murphy's Natural Incense
Best Candles: Large Citronella Candles
Unique Formula: Medella Naturals Spray
Picaridin Choice: Sawyer Insect Repellent
Continue reading about the best DEET- free bug repellents, written by Cat Bowen here.
December 3, 2023
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It absolutely works like a charm whether you’re sitting in the backyard or hiking deep in the woods.
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If you have some that isn’t pre-treated with permethrin, you can buy some to spray on your own netting/clothing before use.
Media Mentions
“We tested this bug repellent on park outings and used it for a long day of yard work. It earns high marks for effectiveness, keeping us protected from any bug bites, even despite exposure to sweat,” The Spruce says.
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