Grand Tongo
Fragrance Free Insect Repellent Family Formula
Spray · EPA-registered
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
Pros
- Top-tier all-day protection, 8 to 10 hours on mosquitoes and 8 to 10 on ticks from 20% picaridin.
- Fragrance-free and fully disclosed, with picaridin's light, gear-safe feel.
Cons
No significant downsides for its role.
The full review
One of the strongest picks in this batch, this fragrance-free continuous spray earns a clean recommended in our maximum protection tier. Its 20% picaridin rests on definitive published evidence, the claims audit is excellent with 3 strong and 2 moderate and nothing weak, and the skin safety reads near-perfect. Our model puts complete protection at a genuine 8 to 10 hours against both mosquitoes and ticks, so the label's 12 hour figure (which measures reduced biting, not bite-free time) is broadly consistent with real performance. The only meaningful drag is transparency, where the active is fully disclosed (EPA Reg. No. 99212-1) but inerts are not accounted for. A DEET-free option that delivers durability without harshness.
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 5 marketing claims audited: 3 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 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 ~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 spray (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 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.
- PicaridinActive
Active repellent · 20%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Safe for pregnant women and children as young as 6 months”
Kid SafeModerateBrand FAQ claim; consistent with general guidance for picaridin but the age threshold is not part of the EPA label language.
“Does not stain clothing or damage plastics, fishing lines, or synthetic materials”
OtherModerateEPA-accepted optional label marketing claim; a known practical advantage of picaridin over DEET.
“Repels gnats, chiggers, biting midges, stable flies, sand flies and black flies for up to 8 hours”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“DEET-free picaridin formula”
Deet FreeStrongAccurate for a picaridin-based product; label notes DEET-free is not a health claim.
“Up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 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 →