Natural insect repellents
As soon as the days get longer and warmer, people are drawn out into nature – to forests, lakes and streams, or up into the mountains. But this idyll has its downsides: mosquitoes, ticks, wasps and other insects can quickly spoil your enjoyment. Many people therefore turn to chemical insect repellents. Whilst these are usually effective, they can have side effects and are not suitable for young children. Yet there are alternatives: products with natural ingredients that also provide effective protection against pesky insects.
Chemical insect repellents
Certain insects can really spoil our time outdoors. Mosquito bites are unpleasant, especially for children, or if you’ve been bitten a lot or have an allergic reaction. In some countries, this can even lead to the transmission of serious infectious diseases such as malaria. Here in Germany, it is tick bites that are feared, as they can transmit Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) as well as other infectious diseases. You can get vaccinated against TBE, but not against Lyme disease.
This means you should protect yourself against tick bites on every outdoor adventure. One option is to spray on an insect repellent. These usually contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), a chemical insect repellent. DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 and was used for military operations in regions with high mosquito populations and the risk of dangerous infectious diseases.
The substance has a broad spectrum of activity against various insects, but it irritates the eyes and mucous membranes and can also cause skin irritation, allergies, and other side effects in people with sensitive skin. Such products should not be used on young children or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. In addition, DEET can damage plastics, rubber, and varnishes (glasses, watches, cameras, outdoor equipment, etc.).
Natural Insect Repellents
However, there is one product that can be recommended for the whole family (except infants under one year of age). It contains no DEET, is gentle on the skin, and still offers long-lasting and reliable protection for up to 14 hours. This natural insect repellent keeps “mosquitos,” as they’re colloquially called, as well as ticks and other insects at bay with an insect-repelling scent. Insects use natural odors for navigation.
People like the delicate, floral scent the product emits, but insects do not. The active ingredient IR3535® is based on the natural substance ß-alanine, an amino acid. This sends the message to insects: Stay away! While IR3535® keeps insects away, it has no insecticidal effect and therefore does not harm them. The extra-long-lasting effect of up to 14 hours is guaranteed thanks to a patented technology called STAYTEC™. The ingredients are derived from seaweed and fungal extracts.
Thanks to this technology, the insect repellent—unlike many conventional repellents—is neither quickly absorbed by the skin nor rapidly evaporated by the sun. The protective effect therefore lasts longer. However, the product is not waterproof; after bathing or showering, application must be repeated.
The plant-based insect repellent feels pleasant on the skin; it is non-sticky and non-greasy, has a delicate scent, and is sweat- and rub-resistant. The product underwent two rigorous dermatological tests, both of which it passed with flying colors. This proves that it has no irritating, sensitizing, or allergenic potential on the skin and is also suitable for sensitive skin.
References
M. Tavares, M. R. da Silva, L. B. de Oliveira de Siqueira, R. A. Rodrigues, L. Bodjolle-d’Almeida, E. P. Dos Santos, E. Ricci-Júnior: Trends in insect repellent formulations: A review. In: International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Volume 539, Number 1–2, March 2018, pp. 190–209.
N. Boulanger, D. Lipsker: [Protection against tick bites]. In: Annales de dermatologie et de vénéréologie. Volume 142, Issue 4, April 2015, pp. 245–251.
