Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
Wipe · EPA-registered repellent (Reg. No. 56575-14)
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Pros
- Travel-perfect picaridin in a wipe, 6 to 8 hours of cover with no spray and easy face application.
- Light, low-odor feel that won't harm plastics or gear.
Cons
- Wipes spread less evenly than a spray, so be thorough on exposed skin.
The full review
Same 20% picaridin as Natrapel's spray, delivered in a single-use wipe, and the verdict is the same: recommended for maximum protection. Definitive research stands behind picaridin, the dermal profile reads clean, and all 8 audited claims are supported. The label claims up to 12 hours; our model reads complete protection at roughly 6 to 8 hours on mosquitoes and 6 on ticks, a touch shorter than the spray because a wipe lays down a thinner film. The format is the draw, with easy face application and no overspray, and picaridin spares plastics and synthetic gear. A small aquatic toxicity ding and partial formula quantification are the only deductions.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%97Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 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: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 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%97Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 8 marketing claims audited: 6 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 8 marketing claims audited: 6 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%88This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
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, adjusted down for this wipe format (×0.80). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~13 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, adjusted down for this wipe format (×0.80). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~10 h as repellency decays.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- PicaridinActive
Active repellent · 20%
- Polyethylene glycol
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Ethanol
Inert / solvent · concentration not disclosed
- Water
Inert / carrier · concentration not disclosed
- Fragrance
Inert / fragrance · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Picaridin is recommended by the CDC to repel disease-carrying insects”
EfficacyStrongPicaridin (20%, doseAdequacy 1.0) is CDC-recommended to repel disease-carrying insects; the same wording is rated STRONG on the sister spray product.
“Also protects against biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers, and fleas for up to 8 hours”
EfficacyStrongDirectly from the EPA label protection statement.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongSame EPA label statement. Registered product name is literally 'Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes'.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~6 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~10 h. The claimed 8 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
“Family friendly; use with confidence on the whole family”
Kid SafeModeratePicaridin has no EPA age restriction, but children should not self-apply.
“DEET-free formula”
Deet FreeStrongWell supported by published evidence
“Won't damage fishing line, plastic, or other synthetic materials”
OtherStrongWell-established materials-compatibility advantage of picaridin over DEET.
“Picaridin 20%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by EPA registration records.
How to apply it
Use one wipe to apply evenly to exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mouth; do not apply to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling and after returning indoors. Reapply when the up-to-12-hour protection window expires or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Flammable; store away from heat, sparks, and open flame.