Which Skin So Soft Product Repels Mosquitoes?

Our Verdict

Repelling mosquitoes and midges is an adventitious but welcome side result of this moisturising and affordable oil spray.

For

Smells great
Also moisturises peel
Affordable

Against

Not strong plenty for jungle conditions
Full coverage required to work

First thoughts

Meet the wild card in the earth of insect repellents: Avon Peel And so Soft Original Dry Oil. Veteran dazzler company Avon brought out a moisturising dry out oil in 2005, but for hikers to observe that the new Skin So Soft spray was also brilliant at keeping insects at bay.

This light oil is much cheaper than most insect-specific sprays, smells great and moisturises your skin as it repels insects – platonic if you take sensitive pare or detect DEET-based products tend to dry out your skin. Information technology's constructive against insects in the Britain due to a healthy smack of citronella, and at that place are even rumours that the Royal Marines pack Peel So Soft when they railroad train in the mountains.

Nosotros did find on exam that yous'll need to employ information technology to every inch of exposed skin to avoid bites, and reapply a few times over the day. The lack of strong active ingredients, such every bit DEET and Pircaridin, ways the oil is gentle on pare - you lot can stick Skin So Soft all over your face and scalp or apply liberally to children with no tears.

(If in doubt, Avon say: "[choose] the Skin And then Soft dry out oil spray with the bluish label. The pink one doesn't have citronella in".) Don't use to clothes, though, due to the oily consistency.

Best insect repellents : our guide to the best yous tin buy
How to avoid bites and stings on the trail
Ready for your next adventure? Consult our camping checklist

In the field

Nosotros've carried this spray in our backpack on multi-day hikes in Scotland and did find on test that you will demand to use information technology to every inch of exposed skin to avoid bites, and reapply a few times over the twenty-four hours. If you lot apply carefully, it definitely does piece of work well at repelling midges.

There'due south no DEET, Pircaridin or similar nowadays, and then the oil wouldn't be strong enough to rely on when a repellent is an essential, such as in areas where mosquitoes may carry malaria. It has a pleasant, unisex odor, and it'south a dainty bonus that skin feels moisturised and comfortable even as you're keeping bugs away.

An honour-winning travel and outdoors announcer, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Contained, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Declension, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sun Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping ground, wild-swimming adventure-author has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Commonwealth of australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn't help. Her web log, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions attainable adventures.