The ingredients that actually repel bugs
A short list does the heavy lifting. EPA-registered synthetic actives like DEET and picaridin have decades of efficacy review behind them; minimum-risk botanicals like citronella and cedarwood oil skip that review but show up in plenty of “natural” sprays. Here’s every ingredient we actually evaluate, with the safety and evidence that matters.
Look up any EPA-registered chemical →
60 ingredients
DEET
N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide
Yes. DEET is the most-studied insect repellent ever made, with six decades of evidence behind it. It confuses the receptors mosquitoes use to find you, and at 25% it delivers roughly 4–5 hours of complete protection. Its real drawbacks are feel, odor, and its appetite for plastics. Safety is not one of them; it is well established at normal use.
Picaridin
Icaridin (2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester)
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.
IR3535
3-(N-Butyl-N-acetyl)aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester
IR3535 is a synthetic amino-acid derivative that's been Europe's quiet workhorse repellent for over 30 years. At 20% it provides roughly 6–8 hours against both mosquitoes and ticks, with one of the gentlest safety profiles of any synthetic.
Ethanol
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
p-Menthane-3,8-diol
Cyclohexanemethanol, 2-hydroxy-.alpha.,.alpha.,4-trimethyl-
PMD is the active molecule inside oil of lemon eucalyptus, and the only plant-derived repellent compound with DEET-class evidence. At 30%-OLE-equivalent concentrations it provides 4–6 hours of complete mosquito protection.
Hexylene glycol
2,4-Pentanediol, 2-methyl-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Oils, catnip
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Lavender oil
Oils, lavender
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Octinoxate
Octinoxate as disclosed on the product label.
Octisalate
Octisalate as disclosed on the product label.
Polyurethane copolymer
Polyurethane copolymer as disclosed on the product label.
Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer
Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer as disclosed on the product label.
Isopropanol
2-Propanol
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Octocrylene
Octocrylene as disclosed on the product label.
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone as disclosed on the product label.
Polyethylene glycol
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Propylene glycol
1,2-Propanediol
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether
Propanol, 1(or 2)-(2-methoxymethylethoxy)-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Eucalyptus oil
Oils, eucalyptus
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Isobutane
Propane, 2-methyl-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Propane
Propane as disclosed on the product label.
1,2-Hexanediol
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Arginine
Arginine as disclosed on the product label.
Avobenzone
Avobenzone as disclosed on the product label.
Barium sulfate
Sulfuric acid, barium salt (1:1)
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Benzyl alcohol
Benzenemethanol
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Butylene glycol
Butylene glycol as disclosed on the product label.
C12-15 alkyl benzoate
C12-15 alkyl benzoate as disclosed on the product label.
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside as disclosed on the product label.
Caprylhydroxamic acid
Caprylhydroxamic acid as disclosed on the product label.
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides as disclosed on the product label.
Carbomer (Carbopol)
Carbomer (Carbopol) as disclosed on the product label.
Chlorophyllin-copper complex
Chlorophyllin-copper complex as disclosed on the product label.
Citral
2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Citronellol
6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Cornmint oil
Oils, mint, Mentha arvensis piperascens
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch as disclosed on the product label.
DEA-oleth-3 phosphate
DEA-oleth-3 phosphate as disclosed on the product label.
Diglycol/CHDM/isophthalates/SIP copolymer
Diglycol/CHDM/isophthalates/SIP copolymer as disclosed on the product label.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone as disclosed on the product label.
Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA as disclosed on the product label.
Farnesol
2,6,10-Dodecatrien-1-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Homosalate
Homosalate as disclosed on the product label.
Hydrogenated castor oil
Castor oil, hydrogenated
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as disclosed on the product label.
Imidazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl urea as disclosed on the product label.
Isostearic acid
Isostearic acid as disclosed on the product label.
Lemon peel oil
Oils, essential, lemon
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Limonene
Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Magnesium aluminum silicate
Magnesium aluminum silicate as disclosed on the product label.
Neem oil
Fats and Glyceridic oils, margosa
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl methoxycinnamate as disclosed on the product label.
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone as disclosed on the product label.
Polyurethane-1
Polyurethane-1 as disclosed on the product label.
Propanediol
Propanediol as disclosed on the product label.
Propylene glycol myristyl ether acetate
Propylene glycol myristyl ether acetate as disclosed on the product label.
Sodium Gluconate
Sodium Gluconate as disclosed on the product label.
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide (Na(OH))
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
Vegan Wax
Vegan Wax as disclosed on the product label.
VP/Eicosene copolymer
VP/Eicosene copolymer as disclosed on the product label.