OFF!
OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- An everyday family-strength 15% DEET, 3 to 4 hours of dependable cover, fully disclosed and EPA-registered.
Cons
- Mid-strength, so reapply on long days, with the usual DEET care around plastics.
The full review
This family-oriented Smooth & Dry aerosol uses 15% DEET and is a clear recommended. What carries it is DEET's definitive evidence record (4 of 5 claims strong) and a clean safety read with no notable sensitization or irritation risk. The trade-off for the lower concentration shows on mosquitoes, where complete protection models at 3 to 4 hours, though it holds a longer 4 to 6 hours on ticks, so reapply on long days. The label's up-to-6-hours figure measures reduced biting rather than bite-free time, so the gap to our estimate is expected. Transparency is the soft spot, since the inert ingredients are not fully accounted for; the dry-feel finish is the practical appeal for everyday family use.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%88Mosquitoes: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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%97DEET 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: 4 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
DEET 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: 4 strong, 1 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 ~7 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 ~11 h as repellency decays. Ticks only: estimated against Ixodes scapularis (the US Lyme vector). DEET is notably weaker against the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and some dog-tick (Dermacentor) populations, and weaker on ticks than on mosquitoes. Anchors: Burtis 2024 (CDC), 25% DEET held >=97% skin repellency through 6.5 h; Buchel 2015, 20% median tick CPT ~4-4.5 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.
- DEETActive
Active repellent · 15%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes that may carry the Zika or Dengue virus”
EfficacyStrongDEET at 15% gives ~3–4 h complete mosquito protection, supporting repellency of Zika/Dengue mosquito vectors.
“Repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus, plus biting flies, gnats, ticks, chiggers, and fleas”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered label claim per the off.com page and FAQ; EPA's repellent search tool lists no specific tick protection duration for this registration.
“Powder-dry formula dries on contact, not oily or greasy”
OtherStrongCosmetic formulation claim from the product page.
“DEET 15%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration from the current off.com label page and EPA registration data.
“Up to 6 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~4 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~7 h. The claimed 6 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from DEET.
Mainly from DEET.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
