Whether you're spending your summer camping in the UK or backpacking abroad, we’re sure getting ravaged by insects isn’t on the itinerary. Nothing ruins a glorious day out quite like the crazy itch of insect bites, plus, more than just an annoyance, biting bugs can also carry diseases. This makes picking up a repellent high on the agenda of summer essentials.
However, deciding on the right one can be difficult, especially if you have babies or kids in the family. Do you go natural or use the trusted mosquito destroyers DEET or Picaridin? Is a spray, roll-on, or even a pack of wipes best? Our buying guide will answer these questions, and our recommendations from Amazon, Boots and Tesco will help you decide which brand to go for.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Smidge | 2 ![]() Mosi-Guard | 3 ![]() Boots | 4 ![]() Xpel | 5 ![]() Life Systems | 6 ![]() Repel | 7 ![]() Incognito | 8 ![]() Jungle Formula | 9 ![]() THEYE | 10 ![]() SheaLife |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Insect Repellent Spray | Natural Insect Repellent Stick | Repel Maximum Lotion | Tropical Formula Repellent Wipes | Expedition 100+ DEET Insect Repellent Spray | Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent | Insect Repellent Roll-On | Maximum Insect Repellent Spray | Natural Powerful Mosquito Repellent | Insect Repellent Balm |
Features | A Hugely Popular Spray Offering the Strength of DEET Without the Smell | A Quality UK-Made Product With Sustainable Ethics | Created Especially for Travellers to Tropical Climates | Great Value Wipes That'll Cover the Family All Holiday Long | Extra-Strong 10-Hour Protection for Jungle Explorers | A Natural, DEET-Free Option That Really Works | An Environmentally Friendly Roll-On From a Trustworthy Brand | A Strong Repellent for Those Travelling to Risk Areas | Ideal for Families Thanks to a Kid-Safe Formula and a Pleasant Smell | A Non-Toxic Option Made With Only 4 Natural Ingredients |
Price | £8.50 | £7.07 | £7.49 | £8.33 | £8.49 | £18.50 | £7.99 | £6.83 | £6.99 | £7.95 |
Active Ingredient | Picaridin | Oil of lemon eucalyptus | DEET | IR3535 | Deet | Oil of lemon eucalyptus | Oil of lemon eucalyptus | DEET | Citrepel | Citronella |
Percentage | 20% | 32% | 50% | - | 95% | 30% | - | 50% | 20% | - |
Lasts For | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 4 hours | Up to 10 hours | Up to 6 hours | Up to 4 hours | Up to 9 hours | Up to 6 hours | Up to 4 hours |
Type | Spray | Stick | Lotion | Wipes | Spray | Spray | Roll-on | Spray | Spray | Lotion |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | Both | Neither | No | No | Sweat-resistant | No | No | No | No | No |
Volume | 75 ml | 40 ml | 100 ml | 25 per pack (6 packs) | 100 ml or 50 ml | 118 ml | 50 ml | 125 ml | 75 ml | 100 ml |
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The two big players in the chemical world are DEET and Picaridin. When choosing a repellent with either of these ingredients, make sure you get a formula with between 20-30% at least, as this is where they both max out at protection. An even higher percentage means that the product will last for longer without needing to be re-applied.
Yet, being chemical products, there are some risks. Firstly, it is not recommended to use high percentages on young children. Each manufacturer will list the age guidelines for their product, so we strongly suggest following those. Secondly, DEET is known to have quite an unpleasant smell that might be a bit too much for some.
Beat persistent bugs by doubling up with a mosquito repellent device
While not technically natural products, oil of lemon eucalyptus, citrepel, and IR3535 are synthesised chemicals based on natural products. This chemical replication is necessary because, while they do have some repelling properties, these plant-based ingredients cannot repel insects efficiently in such small quantities.
Repellents such as these are fine for use on children's skin and are often relatively effective, although not quite as effective as chemical-based products. If you’re looking to steer clear of annoying bites as opposed to dangerous disease-carrying ones, they should be fine. Also, they do need to be re-applied more frequently.
If you prefer to keep things natural, then a chemical-free repellent is the choice for you. These formulas usually contain citronella as their active ingredient which is a completely safe and non-toxic plant. This also means that, while it will repel insects, it will not kill or poison them – unlike some chemical ingredients.
Bear in mind that there are some doubts about the effectiveness of natural products, and if you’re travelling to places where the bugs are known to carry dangerous diseases, you may have to forgo them to be safe. Furthermore, while safe, allergic reactions to citronella are not unheard of, so perhaps consult your GP first if you are prone to sensitivities.
After more natural holiday essentials? Try a dermatologist-reviewed mineral sunscreen
Spray bottle repellents are the most popular and the most common, due to their convenience. They're easy to apply and simply require a spritz and a quick rub in before you can set off on your day out.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly how much you have applied or whether you have missed a spot, so you will have to be fastidious with your application. Plus, there is the possibility of wastage.
The advantage of roll-on and stick repellents is that you can directly see where you have applied them, which therefore should ensure you don't miss a single spot. Also, they tend to come in smaller volumes as more concentrated formulas, making them a good pick if you're trying to pack as lightly as possible for a trip or hike.
Be sure to check out our recommended hiking backpacks for your outdoor adventure
The biggest advantage of a lotion-style repellent is that they are generally the most economical, in that you'll usually get more millilitres of product for less. It’s also easier to see how much you have applied.
The downside is that it can take a while to apply, which isn’t so much of an issue with adults but can be rather difficult if you have a child that just wants to get out and about.
A rather recent invention is repellent-soaked wipes. They are simply applied with a sweep over the areas you want to cover, and then left a short while to dry. Plus, like most forms of wipes, they come in a convenient pack that can be easily stored in any bag.
However, you only get a certain amount per pack, which could leave you exposed if you run out while on your day out. Plus, you may be lumbered with carrying your rubbish if you’re on a particularly long expedition or out in the wilderness.
If you’re looking to have an active summer which will result in plenty of sweating, or you're simply spending time in a hot climate, then picking up a sweat-resistant repellent that will stay put even as you perspire is a wise choice.
Likewise, if you’re spending time near bodies of water, where bites can be particularly frequent and rough, you might want to consider a waterproof repellent. This should save you having to reapply every time you’ve been for a quick dip to cool down.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£8.50
Active Ingredient | Picaridin |
---|---|
Percentage | 20% |
Lasts For | Up to 8 hours |
Type | Spray |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | Both |
Volume | 75 ml |
£7.07
Active Ingredient | Oil of lemon eucalyptus |
---|---|
Percentage | 32% |
Lasts For | Up to 8 hours |
Type | Stick |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | Neither |
Volume | 40 ml |
£7.49
Active Ingredient | DEET |
---|---|
Percentage | 50% |
Lasts For | Up to 8 hours |
Type | Lotion |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
Pack of 6
£8.33
Active Ingredient | IR3535 |
---|---|
Percentage | - |
Lasts For | Up to 4 hours |
Type | Wipes |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 25 per pack (6 packs) |
£8.49
Active Ingredient | Deet |
---|---|
Percentage | 95% |
Lasts For | Up to 10 hours |
Type | Spray |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | Sweat-resistant |
Volume | 100 ml or 50 ml |
£18.50
Active Ingredient | Oil of lemon eucalyptus |
---|---|
Percentage | 30% |
Lasts For | Up to 6 hours |
Type | Spray |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 118 ml |
£7.99
Active Ingredient | Oil of lemon eucalyptus |
---|---|
Percentage | - |
Lasts For | Up to 4 hours |
Type | Roll-on |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 50 ml |
£6.83
Active Ingredient | DEET |
---|---|
Percentage | 50% |
Lasts For | Up to 9 hours |
Type | Spray |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 125 ml |
£6.99
Active Ingredient | Citrepel |
---|---|
Percentage | 20% |
Lasts For | Up to 6 hours |
Type | Spray |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 75 ml |
£7.95
Active Ingredient | Citronella |
---|---|
Percentage | - |
Lasts For | Up to 4 hours |
Type | Lotion |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
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