Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition Aerosol Spray SPF 28
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Well-studied and gentle, with strong evidence behind its 20% IR3535 and most audited claims holding up.
- Long wear for a milder active, 4 to 8 hours against mosquitoes.
Cons
- It's a sunscreen-repellent combo, which the CDC advises against, since the two need different reapplication schedules.
- Aerosol plus an alcohol base feels cold and wet going on, and you breathe in some overspray.
The full review
On the pillars alone this Avon aerosol looks strong, with a near-perfect safety read, definitive evidence behind its 20.07% IR3535, and high marks for disclosing the full formula. We still mark it not recommended, and the reason is structural, since it pairs the repellent with SPF 28 sunscreen and the CDC advises applying the two separately. Sunscreen needs frequent reapplication while repellent does not, so a single can pushes you to overuse one active or underuse the other. IR3535 is also milder than DEET or picaridin, so even setting the combo aside it isn't the strongest protection here, though our model still reads 4 to 8 hours on mosquitoes and 5 to 8 on ticks. The label's 8-hour figure reflects repellency, and the alcohol-based aerosol feels cold and wet going on.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%96Mosquitoes: 4–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–8 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: 4–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–8 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%97IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 9 marketing claims audited: 6 strong, 3 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 9 marketing claims audited: 6 strong, 3 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%100From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation.
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation.
Transparency15%91This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 42% of all ingredient concentrations (+6); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 42% of all ingredient concentrations (+6); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
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 ~14 h as repellency decays. IR3535's protection is species-variable: ~9–10 h against Aedes/Culex in the lab but only ~4 h against Anopheles (Thavara 2001), and it needed ~2× the DEET dose for equal protection (Costantini 2004). The Ghana 2025 ~9 h figure is percentage efficacy, not a measured complete-protection time. Hence the wide 4–8 h band.
Tick estimate basis (low 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 ~14 h as repellency decays. Buchel 2015 (EPA protocol): 10% IR3535 gave ~3.5-4 h against Ixodes, the weakest of the major actives. Higher figures (Carroll 2008/2010) come from uncontrolled trials, so concentrations above 15% are LOW confidence.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 42% of all ingredient concentrations (+6); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- OxybenzoneActive
Sunscreen active · 5.4%
- OctisalateActive
Sunscreen active · 4.5%
- IR3535Active
Active repellent · 20.07%
- OctocryleneActive
Sunscreen active · 9%
- OctinoxateActive
Sunscreen active · 6.75%
- Polyurethane copolymer
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Vitamin E
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Propane
Inert / Propellant · concentration not disclosed
- Isobutane
Inert / Propellant · concentration not disclosed
- Hexylene glycol
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Water
Inert / Carrier · concentration not disclosed
- SD Alcohol 40-B
Inert / Carrier · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Causes substantial but temporary eye injury; do not spray on face”
SafetyStrongEPA 806-20 precaution
“2-in-1 sunscreen and DEET-free insect repellent”
Deet FreeStrongEPA label 806-13
“Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic; unscented”
OtherModerateBrand testing claim; not independently verified.
“Does not need to be washed off when returning from the outdoors”
SafetyModerateAvon marketing claim specific to its IR3535 products (in contrast to its picaridin line, which Avon says should be washed off).
“Provides SPF 28 sunscreen protection”
OtherModerateFDA OTC sunscreen monograph claim with four labeled sunscreen actives; SPF claims are manufacturer-tested. Note that CDC/EPA generally advise against combination repellent-sunscreen products because reapplication needs differ.
“DEET-free”
Deet FreeStrongAccurate; the repellent active is IR3535.
“Effective protection against deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies, and biting midges”
EfficacyStrongEPA lists 8-hour tick protection for this registration; Avon's site directs tick reapplication after 6 hours.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile virus for 8 hours”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
“IR3535 20.07%”
EfficacyStrongConfirmed by EPA registration data and Avon's published ingredient list.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →