Coleman
Coleman DEET Insect Repellent 25% DEET
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- A no-nonsense 25% DEET spray, 5 to 6 hours of reliable cover with the whole formula disclosed.
- Settled science and a clean safety read at this everyday strength.
Cons
- Usual DEET trade-offs: a slightly tacky feel, and keep it off plastics and lenses.
The full review
A straightforward 25% DEET spray that lands solidly in recommended territory. The strength is the active itself: DEET carries definitive evidence and the skin safety reads clean, with all 5 audited claims holding up. We model 5 to 6 hours of complete mosquito protection and 4 to 6 against ticks, a practical all-day window without the plastic-softening tendency of the highest concentrations. The label's 'up to 8 hours' reflects reduced biting rather than bite-free time. The main thing holding it back is transparency, where the full active concentration is disclosed but the inert list is not, and as with all DEET it is not for use on infants.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%94Mosquitoes: 5–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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: 5–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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%97DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 2 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 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 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%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 ~11 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 ~11 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 · 25%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Also repels biting flies, chiggers, ticks, gnats, fleas, and no-see-ums”
EfficacyStrongbrand page
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile virus”
EfficacyStrongStandard EPA-accepted vector claim for registered DEET products.
“Unscented, fast-drying, non-greasy, and non-staining”
OtherModerateManufacturer cosmetic/feel claims.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~6 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~11 h. The claimed 8 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
“DEET 25%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by manufacturer page and EPA registration data.
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 →