Sawyer
20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Lotion · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Outstanding all-day defense, an EPA-label 10 hours on mosquitoes and 8 to 10 on ticks from 20% picaridin.
- A lotion that rubs in clean and light, no DEET grease, and safe on plastics and gear.
Cons
No significant downsides for its role.
The full review
Sawyer's 20% picaridin lotion is one of the strongest picks in this batch, a top-tier recommended in our maximum protection tier and the longest window in Sawyer's topical line. The EPA-registered label backs up to 14 hours, and our model lands at 8 to 10 hours of complete mosquito protection and a substantial 8 to 10 hours against ticks. Evidence and safety both sit near the ceiling, all 9 audited claims hold up, and picaridin will not damage gear or synthetics, so it rubs in clean with no DEET grease. The maker's up-to-14-hours figure tracks repellency rather than bite-free time, so our estimate reads shorter by design. The only soft spot is transparency, since the inert ingredients are not disclosed.
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 9 marketing claims audited: 6 strong, 3 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 9 marketing claims audited: 6 strong, 3 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 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 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.
“10+ year shelf life when stored cool and dry”
OtherStrongA storage/shelf-life spec, not an efficacy claim — a verifiable product attribute.
“Repels stable flies, black flies, and midges”
EfficacyStrong20% picaridin (doseAdequacy 1.0) repels biting flies and midges within its EPA-registered pest spectrum at full dose.
“Fragrance-free, non-greasy, low odor”
OtherModerateCosmetic/feel claim from the manufacturer.
“Safe for use during pregnancy and on children as young as six months of age”
Kid SafeModerateBrand cites the Public Health Agency of Canada's recommendation of picaridin as repellent of first choice for travelers 6 months to 12 years; US label guidance is to not apply to children's hands.
“Won't damage plastics, synthetic coatings, clothing, or gear”
OtherStrongWell-documented picaridin material compatibility advantage over DEET.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, and Dengue viruses, and ticks that may carry Lyme disease”
EfficacyStrong20% picaridin (doseAdequacy 1.0) supports ~10 h mosquito and ~7–8 h tick complete protection, matching the EPA-registered vector-repellency label claim.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“Picaridin 20%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by EPA registration.
“Effective up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks”
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.
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.
