Proven
Proven 14 Hour Mosquito + Tick Lotion – Odorless
Lotion · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Our highest-scoring repellent: 20% picaridin in an odorless lotion for 8 to 10 hours on mosquitoes and 8 to 10 on ticks.
- An aloe lotion base that rubs in clean and moisturizing, with none of the grease or fumes of a spray, and safe on gear.
Cons
No significant downsides for its role.
The full review
Built on 20% picaridin in an odorless aloe lotion, this is about as well-rounded as a DEET-free pick gets, a clear recommended in the maximum protection tier. Picaridin's evidence is essentially settled (5 of 7 audited claims rate strong), the skin safety reads clean, and transparency is unusually good since the full formula including the aloe base is accounted for. Modeled complete protection runs 8 to 10 hours against mosquitoes and another 8 to 10 against ticks, which is excellent for a non-greasy lotion. The maker's up-to-14-hours figure measures reduced biting rather than bite-free time, so our shorter window is expected. The aloe base rubs in clean, with none of the grease or fumes of a spray, and it is safe on gear.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%100Mosquitoes: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 8–10 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: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 8–10 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%97Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 5 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%93This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); 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 lotion (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~18 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 lotion (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~18 h as repellency decays. Buchel 2015: 10% picaridin tick CPT ~5 h (I. scapularis) to 8 h (I. ricinus), equal to or better than 20% DEET. Carroll 2010: 20% kept ticks off through the full 12 h test against the lone star tick; we cap at a defensible ~10 h.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- PicaridinActive
Active repellent (Saltidin brand) · 20%
- Aloe barbadensis extract
Inert / skin conditioner · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes and ticks that can transmit tick-borne encephalitis”
EfficacyStrongPicaridin at 20% gives ~7–8 h complete tick protection, supporting repellency of tick-borne-encephalitis vectors.
“Use with confidence on the whole family”
Kid SafeModeratePicaridin is low-risk per EPA/WHO assessments, but the label still requires adult application for children and limits to two applications per day.
“DEET-free formula”
Deet FreeStrongActive is picaridin.
“Repels black flies, biting flies, stable flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, and no-see-ums for up to 8 hours”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“Protects from mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, Dengue, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya, and ticks that can transmit Lyme disease”
EfficacyStrongDisease-vector claims appear in the EPA-accepted label's approved marketing claims.
“Repels mosquitoes and ticks for up to 14 hours”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~10 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~18 h. The claimed 14 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
“Picaridin 20%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration from the EPA-accepted label (Saltidin brand picaridin).
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 →