As the days get hotter and temperatures rising, mosquitoes are on the rise. The volume of mosquitoes increases and reaches its peak during the hot summer months. Sunlight is harmful to sensitive skin, but what about insect repellents? Insect repellents are known for causing skin rashes and irritation, but do we actually know why? What are the ingredients in these products that are causing such effects?
DEET
One of the most popular repellents in the United States is DEET (Diethyltoluamide), which is used by millions worldwide. DEET acts as a barrier between the skin and bugs once applied onto the skin. It doesn’t actually kill the bugs; instead it interferes with their receptors that attract them to humans. There are many safety hazards regarding DEET that can be found on our platform. The most notable regulatory reference we have is that it is an ingredient that is prohibited for use in cosmetic products in Canada.
Picaridin
An alternative to DEET is Picardidin which is derived from peppers. The repellent is safer for sensitive skin and it can last just as long as DEET. Picaridin has been reported to be less irritating than DEET and is considered to be safer for long term use for adults. It is only available in lower concentrations in the United States but is widely available in Europe and Australia. It is considered to be the first choice of repellent by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Advisory Committee for travelers six months to 12 years of age.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus has shown to be the most effective of all plant-based repellents according to research. The oil has a beneficial active ingredient called para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). A 2016 review of the ingredient shows that the active ingredient PMD may have comparable activity and duration to DEET while offering better protection against ticks. However the ingredient can still cause an allergic reaction to skin, so it must be trialed before applying in larger doses.
Recommended Products
So what insect repellent should you choose? 1Source has 59 different products in the system and ranks them in terms of ingredient safety rather than effectiveness. The brand ‘All Terrain’ ranks the best in our system. To view the results, click here.
Stay safe this summer. The more knowledgeable you are, the better choices you make.