Picaridin
Icaridin (2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester)
Is picaridin as good as DEET?
At 20%, picaridin matches or beats DEET in head-to-head field trials: 8–12 hours of complete mosquito protection and 7–8 hours against ticks, all without the odor, greasy feel, or plastic damage. It's why picaridin products top our rankings.
When to choose it: The default recommendation for most people, most of the time: long days outdoors, tick country, and anyone who hates the feel of DEET.
Synthetic repellent modeled after piperidine compounds in black pepper. Odorless and non-greasy compared to DEET.
How it works
Blocks mosquito odorant receptors, reducing attraction to treated skin.
Safety around dogs & cats
Low acute toxicity in mammals, with no distinct poisoning syndrome reported in pets and no phenol/terpene load that specifically endangers cats. It is still a human repellent, not labeled for animals, so a licked mouthful can cause mild drooling or stomach upset. Of the common actives this is among the least concerning around pets.
Moderate confidence. Ratings from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the Pet Poison Helpline, and published veterinary toxicology. This is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is exposed, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Mosquito protection by concentration: Picaridin
Complete protection time (dark = lower bound, light = upper bound) on the same 12 h scale used across the site. Modeled from published dose-response data in our research library.
The evidence
Multiple RCTs show comparable efficacy to DEET at equivalent concentrations for mosquitoes.
- Efficacy of topical mosquito repellent (picaridin) plus long-lasting insecticidal nets versus long-lasting insecticidal nets alone for control of malaria: a cluster randomised controlled trial2016RctDefinitive evidence
A large cluster-randomized trial in rural Cambodia testing whether adding a mass-distributed picaridin repellent on top of insecticidal bed nets would cut malaria further. It did not.
- Repellent efficacy of DEET, Icaridin, and EBAAP against Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis nymphs (Acari, Ixodidae)2015LabWell-supported evidence
A human-skin study testing whether two lower-strength alternatives, 10% picaridin (icaridin) and 10% IR3535 (EBAAP), can match 20% DEET at repelling the two most important Ixodes tick species. Picaridin came out on top.
- Formulations of Deet, Picaridin, and IR3535 Applied to Skin Repel Nymphs of the Lone Star Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) for 12 Hours2010RctWell-supported evidence
A skin-band study of how well five repellent formulations stop lone star tick nymphs from crossing treated skin, retested every two hours out to 12 hours. Any product with at least 20% active held up all day; a 10% IR3535 lotion did not.
- Efficacy of four insect repellents against mosquito bites: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled field study in Senegal2009RctDefinitive evidence
A double-blind field trial in two Senegalese villages, run at peak biting season, testing four real repellents against a look-alike placebo lotion under heavy wild-mosquito pressure: 20% picaridin, 20% and 50% PMD (the lemon-eucalyptus active), and 50% DEET. Volunteers applied a product to one bare lower leg and caught every mosquito that landed over an evening.
Products using it
Proven
Proven 14 Hour Mosquito + Tick Lotion – Odorless
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's Tick Repellent Eco-Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ranger Ready
Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Ben's
Ben's Repellent Lotion
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
BUGGINS
BUGGINS Insect Repellent X 20% Picaridin
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Coleman
Coleman Picaridin Insect Repellent 20% Picaridin
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Grand Tongo
Fragrance Free Insect Repellent Family Formula
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Proven
Proven 12 Hour Mosquito + Tick Spray – Odorless
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Sawyer
20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin 4oz. Pump Spray
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
No Tickz
No Tickz Picaridin Tick Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Sawyer
20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes
Picaridin 10%
Complete protection
Zone Protects
Zone Protects Picaridin Insect Repellent
Picaridin 20%
Complete protection
Cutter
Cutter Backwoods Tick Defense Insect Repellent
Picaridin 15%
Complete protection
Repel
Tick Defense 15% Picaridin
Picaridin 15%
Complete protection
OFF!
OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent
Picaridin 5%
Complete protection
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Picaridin is a newer, less-proven DEET.”
Reality: Picaridin has been used in Europe and Australia since the 1990s and carries WHO and CDC recommendations. The field-trial record at 20% is excellent.
Myth: “Odorless means weaker.”
Reality: Repellency has nothing to do with smell you can detect. Picaridin works at the mosquito's receptors, not your nose.
Regulatory notes
EPA SRS-registered active. Not a FIFRA 25(b) minimum risk active.
Safety notes
Low skin irritation profile; suitable for many users who dislike DEET.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 20% picaridin last?
8–12 hours of complete protection against mosquitoes and 7–8 hours against ticks, the longest consumer protection window we score.
Is picaridin safe for children?
Yes. CDC lists picaridin as appropriate for children over 2 months, and it's gentler on skin than high-strength DEET.
Does picaridin damage gear?
No. Unlike DEET, picaridin doesn't attack plastics or synthetic fabrics, a major reason backpackers have switched.