Best Spray With Picaridin
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
Pros
- 20 percent picaridin provides effective protection
- Nongreasy, nonsticky, and virtually scentless formula
- Skin-friendly
- Material safe
Cons
- May need reapplication after swimming or heavy sweating
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 20 percent picaridin
- Type: Nonaerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: None
This particular formula is nongreasy, nonsticky, and lacks a strong odor, making it highly appealing for direct skin application. Dr. Kobets confirms that the 20 percent is an effective concentration of picaridin to use, which this formula contains. As a bonus, it won’t damage plastics or synthetic fabrics, making it safe for use on clothing, gear, and skin.
Best With DEET
Off! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3
Pros
- 30 percent DEET offers powerful and long-lasting tick repellency
- DEET is a well-established and proven active ingredient
- Formula is sweat-resistant
Cons
- 30 percent DEET concentration can be more irritating to sensitive skin
- May damage fabric
Key Specs:
- Active ingredient: 30 percent DEET
- Type: Aerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: Chemical and pungent
Speaking of heat, this formula is sweat-resistant, which means less applications if you’re outdoors hiking or being active in high temperatures. The aerosol spray bottle makes application on skin and clothes easy, but be careful if you wear synthetic fabrics, as DEET may stain or damage them.
Best With DEET for Extra Protection
Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent
Pros
- 98.11 percent DEET is the highest available concentration
- Highly effective against virtually all biting insects
- Ideal for extreme conditions
Cons
- Higher likelihood of skin irritation
- Very likely to damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, leather, and painted surfaces
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 98.11 percent DEET
- Type: Nonaerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: Chemical and pungent
If you’re planning an outside adventure in an area with a densely populated insect and tick population, you want to give yourself extra protection. Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent formula contains the highest concentration of DEET on the market, 98.11 percent.
At this concentration, a single application delivers the longest possible duration of repellency (up to 10 hours) against ticks and other biting insects. It’s specifically formulated for situations where insect pressure is severe, such as deep woods expeditions, areas with high tick populations, and regions where insect-borne diseases are prevalent.
Best DEET Alternative
Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent
Pros
- 20 percent IR3535 is recognized by the CDC as an effective tick repellent
- Nongreasy, fast-drying, and unscented
- Gentle on skin and won’t harm plastics or synthetic fabrics
Cons
- Protection duration may be slightly less than high-concentration DEET or picaridin products
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 20 percent IR3535
- Type: Aerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: None
IR3535 is chemically engineered to look like a naturally occurring amino acid. Our research finds that Coleman SkinSmart Insect Repellent, which contains 20 percent IR3535, provides reliable, long-lasting protection (up to eight hours) against ticks in low-population areas, making it a strong alternative to DEET. We especially like it when gardening or doing other outdoor activities for short periods of time.
Best Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus Spray
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray
Pros
- Appeals to those seeking herbal alternatives to synthetic repellents
- Offers some tick protection
- Lemon eucalyptus aroma is refreshing
- Won’t damage gear or clothing
Cons
- Not recommended for children under 3 years old
- May not be as effective against as broad a range of insects as synthetic repellents
- More frequent reapplication is needed
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 30 percent OLE/PMD
- Type: Nonaerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: Eucalyptus
If you’re looking for an herbal tick repellent for brief outdoor adventures, in places where tick populations are low, this lemon eucalyptus spray delivers protection with a refreshing scent, unlike any other repellent on our list.
Best for Travel
Ranger Ready Repellent
Pros
- 20 percent picaridin is effective and safe for travel gear
- Provides significant protection duration, reducing the need for frequent reapplications
- Trigger pump dispenser makes it easy to dispense, difficult to spill
Cons
- Can be greasy on the skin
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 20 percent picaridin
- Type: Nonaerosol spray
- Use: Skin
- Scent: None
Ranger Ready Repellent combines an effective 20 percent picaridin concentration with travel-friendly features. It offers long-lasting protection (up to 12 hours), which is crucial for travelers who need reliable protection without constant reapplications.
Importantly, picaridin is nondamaging to clothing, plastics, and gear, making it ideal for packing alongside luggage and electronics. Its no-scent formula is also a significant benefit when in close quarters during travel. Plus, it’s available in compact and Transportation Security Administration–compliant sizes, further cementing its status as a top travel companion, and our Everyday Health editors note that the trigger pump dispenser makes it easy to use, without fear of it spilling.
Best Wipes
Repel Insect Repellent Mosquito & Tick Wipes
Pros
- Mess-free application (avoids overspray)
- Ideal for applying to exposed skin without getting it on clothes (unless intended)
- Long-lasting protection
Cons
- Lower concentration of picaridin per wipe
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 12 percent picaridin
- Type: Wipes
- Use: Skin
- Scent: None
Repel Insect Repellent Mosquito & Tick Wipes offer convenient application and an effective 12 percent picaridin concentration per wipe. The wipe format allows for precise and controlled application, minimizing overspray and making it easy to apply to specific areas of the skin, especially for children (when applied by an adult).
The concentration per wipe ensures robust and reliable protection against ticks (up to 10 hours), making it effective for various outdoor activities. For quick, mess-free application on the go, especially when you want to avoid aerosols, these wipes are a standout solution.
Best for Clothing
Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Clothing, Gear & Tents
Pros
- Kills ticks on contact, doesn’t just repel them
- Remains effective through six washes
- Complements skin repellents
Cons
- Requires drying time
- Can be flammable when wet
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 0.5 percent permethrin
- Type: Nonaerosol spray
- Use: Clothing
- Scent: None
Permethrin bonds to fabric fibers and kills ticks on contact, providing an extra layer of protection beyond skin-applied repellents. “Permethrin-treated clothing is one of the best lines of defense against ticks,” Kopelman says.
This concentration is specifically formulated for clothing and gear, offering long-lasting effectiveness through multiple washes (up to six washes or approximately six weeks). Its ability to kill ticks before they can bite, combined with its safety for use on clothing (once the product has dried), makes it an invaluable tool for serious outdoor enthusiasts and those in high-risk insect areas.
Best for Gear
Repel Permethrin Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent
Pros
- Creates a tick-free zone around treated tents, tarps, and backpacks
- Won’t affect the aesthetics or durability of your gear
- Adds a robust layer of defense for comprehensive protection
Cons
- Gear needs to be fully dry before use or packing
- Needs reapplication after exposure to significant rain or extended use
Key Specs
- Active ingredient: 0.5 percent permethrin
- Type: Aerosol spray
- Use: Clothing
- Scent: None
Why Trust Everyday Health
Jill Di Donato
Author
Jill has over 15 years of experience writing about women's health, wellness, and beauty. She has deep knowledge of buzzy products and what makes them popular with consumers. She's tested hundreds of skin care products, tools, and medical aesthetics procedures throughout her career, and she has interviewed top dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and holistic physicians to stay on top of the latest in skin health and wellness.
Jill is the former associate editorial operations director of the beauty group at Dotdash Meredith, where she worked on brands such as Shape and Byrdie, editing health, fitness, skin care, wellness, and body care commerce content.
She's also a former sex and relationship writer, and has made national television appearances to discuss sexual wellness topics for women. In addition to anything beauty and sexual wellness, Jill specializes in writing about body neutrality and mental health.
Jill has a degree in sociology, with a focus on gender studies and she has taught sociology classes at Barnard and Columbia University.
Simran Malhotra, MD
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Malhotra completed her internal medicine residency at Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, where she also served as chief resident in 2015. She completed her fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2016. She was named Top Doc in Palliative Medicine in 2019 and 2020 by Baltimore Magazine.
On a personal note, she is a BRCA1 previvor with a strong family history of breast and female reproductive cancers, and underwent a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy and total hysterectomy in 2020 at 32 years old. After learning about her own genetic risk of cancer, and grounded in her professional experiences in palliative care, she founded Wellness By LifestyleMD, a platform where she works with and educates women at high risk for cancer with or without genetic mutations on the powerful impact that positive lifestyle changes can have on their quality of life and even longevity.
In addition to being a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she completed the T. Colin Campbell plant-based nutrition certification in 2019, the CHEF culinary coaching certification in 2020, and the WellCoaches health and wellness coaching certification in 2022. She is a member of the ACLM women’s health member interest group and serves as the co-chair of the breast cancer subcommittee.
Malhotra has been featured on several blogs and podcasts, where she has shared her unique perspectives and experiences from palliative care as well as from being a genetic mutation carrier who is passionate about using lifestyle as medicine.
Orlando de Guzman
Fact-Checker
Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary films about war and trauma, health, sanitation, and the changing climate around the world. His interest in health and medicine started after an early career as a medical and legal translator.
De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.
CJ Abellon
Editor
CJ Abellon has served as a senior editor for publications focusing on health, wellness, and children's education. She has covered topics ranging from health conditions like bunions, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and heart disease to parenthood and product reviews.