Hate Being Bitten? You Need To Know These Top 5 Things To Look For In A Bug Repellent
Summer vacation season is right around the corner, and that means more time for sun, beaches and fun summer nights. With all the delight that summer brings, it also comes with not-so-delightful, pesky bugs. Depending on where you live, there may be swarms of mosquitoes, sandflies and other annoying insects. Maybe you’re looking to become one with nature by going on a camping trip. Either way, safety and fun are the top priorities for our summer vacations. Besides sunscreen, one of the most important things to buy every summer is a good bug repellent. It’s important to protect our skin from bug bites and sunburns so we can enjoy the outdoors as much as we can.
If you’re planning a camping trip or you live in a mosquito-prone area, it’s essential to invest in a good bug repellent. Before you run to the store and buy any old bug spray, here are a few important things you should look for.
5. What’s in It?
Avon
We’ve all done it. To protect ourselves against painful bug bites, we take the nearest can of bug spray douse ourselves from head to toe with it. Cue a coughing fit and a less-than-pleasant scent following you like a cloud. But what, exactly, is in these bug sprays?
Studies show that when picking out bug spray, most adults do not look at the ingredients. When picking out a bug spray, it is important to find one that will be both effective and won’t harm your skin. Finding a bug repellent that is dermatologist-tested and recommended and which contains the proper ingredients to protect you is important.
So what ingredients should you look for?
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus: Also known as OLE, this is a naturally occurring plant oil that has been proven to be highly effective against all types of bugs. Products that contain at least 30% of OLE can protect against bug bites for up to seven hours. The great thing about OLE is that it is natural, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin. Take note: Don’t use it on children under the age of 3.
- IR3535: Insect repellent 3535 is a man-made active ingredient that is commonly found in bug sprays. It is a biodegradable and odorless oil and unlike many bug repellent ingredients, is usually safe for use on children and pregnant women.
- Picaridin: Look for a bug repellent with at least 20% of Picaridin in it, as it has been proven to be an effective and dependable ingredient to repel insects. Avon’s Bug Guard Plus Picaridin lasts for up to 12 hours, meaning it can fight insects from dawn until dusk when they are most active.
All of Avon’s bug repellents are DEET-free and PABA-free.
Check them out here.
4. Buy DEET-Free and PABA-free Products
Avon
As important as it is to know what ingredients to look for in a repellent, it’s also important to know what ingredients may not be so good in a bug spray. It has proven certain ingredients that are commonly found in repellents to be harmful or toxic for both you and the environment.
- PABA or para-aminobenzoic amino acid is an antioxidant most commonly found in sunscreens and other body products. Due to a high amount of people allergic to PABA, many products have become PABA-free over the last few years. People with potential PABA allergies should avoid using products with this ingredient. It is also found to be a threat to marine life once it enters the water system.
- DEET is short for N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. DEET is found in almost every popular bug repellent because of its protection against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, leeches and other biting insects. While repellents with a low amount of DEET can be harmless, studies have shown that DEET can be toxic and cause skin irritations, depending on skin type. Products that contain DEET, especially 30% concentration and more, should be used with caution and never on infants.
All of Avon’s bug repellents are DEET-free and PABA-free.
Check them out here.
3. Mosquitoes Aren’t The Only Pests
While a mosquito bite could be nothing more than an itchy welt, at its worst, mosquitoes are notorious for their ability to spread diseases like the ZIKA virus, dengue fever and other life-threatening sicknesses. Even then, for bug spray, they aren’t the only bugs you should look for protection against. A good repellent should protect against bug bites from several other critters that could cause painful rashes, irritation and even diseases.
Before you head out on your outdoor adventure, it’s important to research the common bugs that can be found in the area. The fewer bug bites you get, the more you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor vacation.
Look for sprays like Bug Guard Plus that protect against bugs like deer ticks (carrier of Lyme disease), gnats, sand flies and biting midges.
All of Avon’s bug repellents are DEET-free and PABA-free.
Check them out here.
2. Water-Resistant and SPF
Avon
Kill two birds with one stone by looking for a repellent that repels bugs, harmful sun rays and that won’t come off in the water. Summer vacations are usually full of endless hours in the sun, and an abundance of water activities, beaches, lakes and rivers. Don’t let your bug spray wash off after splashing around. Protect you and your kids with a bug repellent that is water-resistant and has an SPF of at least 30. Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard is your 3-in-1 product that’ll keep you protected under any circumstance.
All of Avon’s bug repellents are DEET-free and PABA-free.
Check them out here.
1. One That Your Skin Will Love
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When it comes to bug repellent, gone are the days of settling for a strong-smelling spray that leaves you sticky and itchy. You need a product that will protect you and be kind to your skin. Avon has equipped its mosquito repellents with Vitamin E and aloe, making them hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin..
Why will your skin love these products?
Vitamin E is a natural anti-inflammation agent and helps maintain healthy, youthful skin. Aloe vera is full of nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial for the skin such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E, and nutritious minerals like zinc, magnesium and copper.
In addition to being kind to your skin, Avon bug repellents also come in a few different formats. From aerosol, to family-size pump sprays to travel-friendly towelettes there is a formula for everyone.
