What is the best lotion for mosquitoes?

Author: Everett Nitzsche  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

  • Best Overall, Picaridin. Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin. ...
  • Best Overall, DEET. OFF! ...
  • Best Lotion. Sawyer Products Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion. ...
  • Best Long-Lasting. Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent. ...
  • Best for Sensitive Skin. EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Travel Size Insect Repellent.

What is the best lotion to keep mosquitoes away?

Cinnamon oil works. This oil, with the active ingredients cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, can protect from mosquitoes for over 60 minutes at a 10% concentration in lotion. Geraniol and 2-PEP, or 2-phenylethyl propionate, work for about 60 minutes at a 10% concentration in lotion. Citronella oil works, just not so great.

Why does Avon skin so soft repel mosquitoes?

Ingredients: The primary active ingredient in many formulations of Skin So Soft is citronella oil, which is known for its insect-repelling properties. Other components include mineral oil and other emollients that may create a barrier on the skin.

What is the most effective mosquito repellent for skin?

Repellents with the best track records include the following: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD). The three non-DEET compounds each seem to work as well as or nearly as well as DEET when they are used at higher concentrations (20%).

What scent keeps mosquitoes off of you?

Planting lavender in your garden or using lavender essential oil can help repel mosquitoes. Peppermint Oil has a strong scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. Diluted peppermint oil can be applied to the skin or used in diffusers to deter mosquitoes. Basil plants emit a strong aroma that repels mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes Hate This Smell | Use THIS and you'll never get another bite

What can I put on my skin to keep mosquitoes from biting me?

Use insect repellent
  1. DEET.
  2. Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States)
  3. IR3535.
  4. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)—A plant-derived ingredient.
  5. Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  6. 2-undecanone—A plant-derived ingredient.

Does anything actually work to repel mosquitoes?

Yes: DEET. A repellent with DEET tells mosquitos to buzz off loud and clear. You'll need one with at least 20% DEET to protect your skin for several hours at a time, although more than 50% doesn't work any better (kids should use 10%-30%).

How can I make my skin less attractive to mosquitoes?

Basically, to avoid being a mosquito-target you should stay as scent-free as possible, wear light clothes, avoid bogs and use an effective repellent (such as those containing DEET or icaridin).

What is #1 mosquito repellent?

DEET. DEET is a reliable and highly effective insect repellent. The chemical has been in public use since 1957. The repellent is sold under numerous brand names and comes in lotion, spray and many other forms.

Which palmers lotion repels mosquitoes?

Hello Moisture, Goodbye Mozzie's 👋 Did you know Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera) has been found to act as a natural deterrent to keep away mosquitoes* AND it provides rich hydration with a decadent tropical scent 🥥🦟 Enjoy the outdoors this summer with Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion!

Is skin so soft better than DEET?

The liquid and lotion formulations of deet and Avon Skin-So-Soft provided 97.9, 95.9 and 71.4% protection, respectively, compared with the untreated control. Both deet formulations provided significantly better protection (P less than 0.05) than Avon Skin-So-Soft.

What moisturizer do mosquitoes hate?

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent lotion repels mosquitoes for up to 14 hours—that's longer-lasting protection than most of our other choices. The lotion container is also small and light, making it easy to pack.

What do professionals use to keep mosquitoes away?

N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard by which all other repellents are judged.

Does vitamin B12 prevent mosquito bites?

There is simply no evidence taking vitamin B will offer any significant protection from mosquito bites. In reality, if there was even moderate scientific evidence that taking a vitamin supplement could prevent mosquito bites, our supermarket shelves would be full of “mosquito repellent pills”.

What smell do mosquitoes hate?

Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.

Which blood type do mosquitoes hate?

Blood Types Mosquitoes Love Most

Type B: Type B placed second in popularity. Type A: Type A Blood Type apparently tastes the worst to mosquitoes. The study found that those with Blood Type A are 50% less likely to receive a mosquito bite than those with Type O.

How do you get less bitten by mosquitoes?

Other tips for preventing mosquito bites

Consider treating clothing and gear such as boots or tents with 0.5% permethrin to repel bugs. Never use permethrin directly on skin. Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Get rid of any standing water in your yard, where mosquitoes can breed.

Does Vicks repel mosquitoes?

Key Takeaways. Scientific research has debunked the belief that Vicks Vaporub is an effective mosquito repellent. Vicks Vaporub contains camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil, but limited scientific evidence supports its efficacy as a mosquito repellent.

Do mosquito bracelets work?

They're often marketed as providing “natural” protection from mosquitoes. But unfortunately, they aren't a reliable way to prevent mosquito bites.

What vitamins are good for preventing mosquito bites?

Many dermatologists now recommend that the skin can be made much less attractive to biting insects by taking Vitamin B supplements whilst at risk. So, we recommend that Vitamin B complex, 2 tablets twice a day, or Vitamin B-1, 100 mg daily, is a good way of helping to reduce the risk of being bitten.

What to put in your bath for mosquito bites?

That's right – an oatmeal bath with lukewarm, not hot, water can help alleviate itchy skin (and bug bites). These common oats include fats and sugars which help to lubricate dry, itchy skin. Just remember to be mindful of the water temperature.

What is the most effective repellent for mosquitoes?

The CDC recommends the following methods: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), 2-undecanone, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE).

Why rub Vicks on your feet at night?

Some studies suggest that Vicks VapoRub can help ease nerve-related foot pain, treat cracked heels, and help clear toenail fungus.

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