Natrapel
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
Wipe · EPA-registered
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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 holds: 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 the same 6 to 8 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%98Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 6–8 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: 6–8 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: 7 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 85). Of 8 marketing claims audited: 7 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%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 ~13 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 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”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
“Up to 8 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
“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.
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 →