OFF!
OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Lives up to its name: 5% picaridin gives a genuinely light, non-greasy feel with no DEET odor.
- 3 to 4 hours of solid cover, EPA-registered and fully disclosed.
Cons
- Lower 5% picaridin means shorter wear than 20% formulas, so reapply on long days.
The full review
Built on 5% picaridin, this Clean Feel pump spray is a solid recommended. The standout is safety, which reads near spotless, with no notable sensitization risk and low irritation, exactly what makes picaridin such an easy daily-wear choice. The evidence is sound (4 of 5 claims strong) and complete protection models at a usable 3 to 4 hours against mosquitoes and a longer 3 to 5 on ticks. The main thing holding it back is transparency, with the active disclosed but the inert list not accounted for. This is a gentle, low-fuss option rather than a maximum-duration one, so reapply on long days, and the repellency data behind the label describes reduced biting rather than a guaranteed bite-free window.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%87Mosquitoes: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 3–5 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: 3–5 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%65Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 53). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 4 strong, 1 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 53). 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 ~9 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 · 5%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Not registered for tick protection”
OtherStrongEPA repellent search data shows no tick protection time for this registration.
“DEET-free formula”
Deet FreeStrongActive is picaridin.
“Clean feel - not oily or greasy”
OtherModerateBrand cosmetic claim; picaridin formulas are generally light-feeling and fabric/plastic safe.
“Picaridin 5%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration from EPA registration data for Reg. No. 4822-536.
“Up to 3-4 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~4 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.
