Proven
Proven 14 Hour Mosquito + Tick Lotion – Odorless
Lotion · EPA-registered repellent (Reg. #93332-1)
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Pros
- Our highest-scoring repellent: 20% picaridin in an odorless lotion for 8 to 10 hours on mosquitoes and 7 to 8 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
This odorless 20% picaridin lotion is among the best-rounded options in the group, a clear recommended in the maximum protection tier. It pairs picaridin's definitive evidence (5 of 7 claims strong) with a clean safety read and unusually strong transparency, since the full formula including the aloe vera base is accounted for. Modeled complete protection runs 8 to 10 hours against mosquitoes and a real 7 to 8 against ticks, which is excellent for a non-greasy lotion. The label's up-to-14-hours figure tracks repellency rather than bite-free time, so our shorter estimate is expected. The aloe base rubs in clean, with none of the grease or fumes of a spray, and it is safe on gear. With nothing meaningful dragging it down, it is about as well-rounded as a DEET-free option gets.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%100Mosquitoes: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 7–8 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: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 7–8 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%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 ~14 h as repellency decays.
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”
DurationStrongEPA label-approved claim for listed insects.
“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).
How to apply it
Apply evenly to skin in a thin layer, spreading to cover all exposed skin. Do not exceed two applications per day. To apply to the face, first spread small amounts in your palms, then spread on face and neck, avoiding eyes and applying sparingly around ears. Avoid contact with eyes, lips, cuts, wounds, irritated or excessively sunburned skin, and do not apply under clothing. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then to the child; do not apply to children's hands or allow children to handle the product.