Cutter
Cutter All Family Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- A gentle, family-friendly pick that scores like a heavy hitter, 20% IR3535 for 4 to 8 hours with a clean safety read.
- No DEET, so it won't damage plastics, and it's mild enough for most skin.
Cons
- Aerosol delivery feels cool and wet, with some overspray to breathe in.
The full review
A DEET-free aerosol built on 20% IR3535 that lands a clear recommended, with top marks on both evidence and safety. IR3535 carries definitive published support, all 6 audited claims hold up, and the brand honestly labels reapplication around every 8 hours in line with the measured protection, which we reward. We model 4 to 8 hours of complete mosquito protection and 5 to 8 against ticks; the label's 'up to 8 hour' claim counts repellency rather than bite-free time. The one weak spot is transparency, where the active concentration is disclosed but the inert list is not. IR3535 is a milder active than DEET or picaridin, so this is a strong, gear-safe everyday choice rather than a deep-woods maximum.
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%100IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 4 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12). Honestly labels reapplication (~every 8 h) in line with its measured protection (+4).
IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 4 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12). Honestly labels reapplication (~every 8 h) in line with its measured protection (+4).
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%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 ~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 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.
- IR3535Active
Active repellent · 20%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Up to 8 hours of protection for the entire family”
Kid SafeModerateFamily positioning; label requires adult application on children and prohibits application to children's hands.
“Non-greasy, non-oily, fragrance-free formula that dries fast”
OtherModerateManufacturer marketing claim about feel; not efficacy-related.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered label claim.
“DEET-free alternative”
Deet FreeStrongBrand explicitly disclaims this as a comparative safety statement; factually accurate for an IR3535 formula.
“IR3535 20%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed on manufacturer product page and EPA registration data.
“Repels mosquitoes and ticks for up to 8 hours”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
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 →
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
