3M
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8
Spray · EPA-registered repellent (Reg. #58007-7)
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Pros
- A dependable 25% DEET spray, 5 to 6 hours on mosquitoes with the deepest evidence base of any active.
- Quick, hands-free coverage when you just want to spray and go.
Cons
- Typical DEET drawbacks: a slightly tacky feel and best kept off plastics and synthetic fabrics.
The full review
A 25% DEET aerosol in 3M's controlled-release polymer, this one earns a clear recommended rating on the strength of its evidence and safety. DEET's research base is definitive, the dermal profile is clean aside from a small aquatic-toxicity ding, and all 5 audited claims are supported. Complete protection works out to roughly 5 to 6 hours against mosquitoes and 3 to 4 against ticks, so the 'up to 8 hours' on the can describes repellency, not time to first bite. The main thing holding it back is transparency: only the 25% active is quantified and the inert ingredients go undisclosed. As a spray-and-go option it delivers dependable coverage with the deepest evidence base of any active.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%92Mosquitoes: 5–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 3–4 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 5–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 3–4 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%97DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%96From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%75This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~11 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~7 h as repellency decays.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- DEETActive
Active repellent · 25%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and deer ticks (Lyme)”
EfficacyStrongmaster label 58007-7
“Resists rain, perspiration, and water splashes (controlled-release technology)”
OtherModerateLabel claim based on 3M's proprietary controlled-release polymer technology.
“Repels ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats, fleas, and deer flies”
EfficacyStrongListed on the EPA-accepted label; 25% DEET is well supported against these pests. No EPA-listed tick protection time for this registration.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationModerateRe-evaluated against our corrected complete-protection estimate (~6 h): the claimed 8 h is 1.3× our estimate, so this duration claim is optimistic but plausible (a label maximum).
“DEET 25%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed on EPA-accepted label and in the EPA registration database.
How to apply it
Spray on exposed skin in a slow sweeping motion to cover evenly; use just enough to cover exposed skin and avoid over-application. Do not spray directly on the face — spray your palm and rub on, avoiding eyes and mouth and applying sparingly around ears. Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin, do not use under clothing, and do not allow children to handle the product or apply it to children's hands. Reapply after about 8 hours for mosquitoes. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water and wash treated clothing before wearing again.