Zevo
Zevo On-Body Mosquito and Tick Repellent Lotion
Lotion · EPA-registered
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Pros
- The same gentle 20% IR3535 in a lotion that rubs in clean, with no aerosol drift or chill.
- Plastic-safe and mild enough for most skin, 4 to 8 hours of cover.
Cons
No significant downsides for its role.
The full review
Carrying the same 20% IR3535 as Zevo's other formats, this lotion earns a recommendation on strong fundamentals. The evidence pillar is excellent on definitive research behind IR3535 and three strong audited claims, while safety reads essentially perfect with no notable sensitization or irritation, and the rub-on format makes for clean all-over coverage including the face. The up to 8 hour label figure reflects reduced biting; our estimate of complete protection is 4 to 8 hours against mosquitoes and 5 to 8 against ticks, dependable across the board. The only real ceiling is transparency: the active percentage is published, but the inert ingredients go undisclosed. As a plastic-safe, gentle pick for most skin, it does the job without aerosol drift or chill.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%96Mosquitoes: 4–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–8 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: 4–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–8 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%97IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
IR3535 is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%100From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation.
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation.
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 ~14 h as repellency decays. IR3535's protection is species-variable: ~9–10 h against Aedes/Culex in the lab but only ~4 h against Anopheles (Thavara 2001), and it needed ~2× the DEET dose for equal protection (Costantini 2004). The Ghana 2025 ~9 h figure is percentage efficacy, not a measured complete-protection time. Hence the wide 4–8 h band.
Tick estimate basis (low 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 ~14 h as repellency decays. Buchel 2015 (EPA protocol): 10% IR3535 gave ~3.5-4 h against Ixodes, the weakest of the major actives. Higher figures (Carroll 2008/2010) come from uncontrolled trials, so concentrations above 15% are LOW confidence.
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.
- IR3535Active
Active repellent · 20%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“IR3535 20%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration per manufacturer labeling.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
“DEET-free and picaridin-free formula”
Deet FreeStrongWell supported by published evidence
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 →