Cutter
Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- A light, pleasant-smelling 7% DEET spray that feels almost barely-there on skin, fine for short outings.
Cons
- Low strength means short cover, 1 to 2 hours, so reapply for longer trips.
- Not much tick protection at this level.
The full review
The Skinsations formula uses just 7% DEET, and that light dose is the whole story behind its recommended with caveats verdict. Skin safety is excellent and DEET's evidence is strong, but the low concentration yields only 1 to 2 hours of complete mosquito protection and about 2 hours against ticks, which holds effectiveness back. All 4 audited claims hold up, so the modest result is about strength, not honesty. Transparency reflects full active disclosure without an inert list. The gentle, lightly scented feel suits casual backyard use, though you will reapply roughly every couple of hours if you stay out.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%68Mosquitoes: 1–2 h of complete protection. Ticks: 2 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: 1–2 h of complete protection. Ticks: 2 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%62DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 50). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 3 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 50). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 3 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 ~4 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 ~4 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 · 7%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes that may carry Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya”
EfficacyStrongEPA master label 121-77
“Clean, fresh scent that is gentle on skin”
OtherModerateManufacturer marketing claim about feel/scent; not efficacy-related.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers and fleas”
EfficacyStrongPest list printed on the EPA-registered label.
“DEET 7%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration from EPA registration database.
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.
