EmailBest Reviewed
Insect Repellent
- Best insect repellent overall Cutter Advanced *Est. $6
- DEET repellent for long periods or extreme conditions 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion *Est. $8
- Best natural mosquito repellent Repel Lemon Eucalyptus *Est. $7
- Safest insect repellent for kids Bite Blocker *Est. $8
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Best insect repellent overall
- Long-lasting protection
- Safe for kids as young as 2 months
- Odorless
- Non-stickiness
- Doesn't damage plastics
- Eye irritation
- Inconsistent effectiveness
Cutter Advanced has a 7 percent concentration of picaridin, a synthetic ingredient that is said to be comparable to DEET in effectiveness but is considered safer to use. Reviews say that Cutter Advanced protects for up to 2.5 hours and may be applied up to three times a day. It is odorless and non-sticky once applied. The biggest drawback to this, or any picaridin-based product, is that it is not as consistently effective as products that contain DEET. DEET-based 3M Ultrathon (*est. $8.50 for 2 oz.) is effective for up to five hours. Repellents containing DEET, however, are not recommended for young children; repellents containing picaridin can be used on babies as young as 2 months. It's worth noting that eye irritation has been reported by some users of Cutter Advanced.
ConsumerReports.org provides the most thorough comparative review of insect repellents and is particularly useful in showing how picaridin stacks up against DEET and other repellent ingredients. A report on eMedicine.com is particularly helpful for its explanation of the different types of repellents, including picaridin-based Cutter Advanced. Reviews on Slate.com and BackPackGearTest.com are useful for their take on the effectiveness of each repellent tested.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports tests 18 insect repellents, including Cutter Advanced. Repellents are tested with two species of mosquito that are common in the United States, as well as with deer ticks. Editors discuss ingredients and alternatives to DEET.
Review: Insect Repellents: Which Keep Bugs at Bay?, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2006
Dermatology professor Mark Fradin summarizes information on insect repellents, including picaridin-based Cutter Advanced.
Review: Insect Repellents, Mark S. Fradin, Feb. 6, 2007
This review, based on 2006 tests and ratings at Consumer Reports, is free without a subscription. Three types of DEET-free insect repellents, including those made with picaridin, are discussed.
Review: DEET-Free Insect Repellents, Editors of GreenerChoices.org, June 2007
4. Slate.com
Andria Lisle and friends test nine mosquito repellents, including Cutter Advanced Spray. Testers say Cutter wasn't very effective and provided protection that barely lasted 90 minutes.
Review: Bug Off! Which Mosquito Repellents Work Best?, Andria Lisle, July 26, 2005
Cutter Advanced gets a lengthy review by a hiker and his family. The product worked well and is safe for kids, but the reviewer wishes it protected longer.
Review: Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent, Raymond Estrella, Aug. 13, 2006
6. About.com
Ten insect repellents are discussed in this brief review, but only the top-rated Cutter Advanced is personally tested. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 10 Insect and Mosquito Repellents, Wendy Bumgardner, March 3, 2009
Drugstore.com publishes reviews of insect repellents that are submitted by users. Most reviews confirm that DEET-free insect repellents, including Cutter Advanced, work well for some people, but not at all for others.
Review: Insect & Pest Repellant, Contributors to Drugstore.com
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