So what bug repellent ingredients do ewg scientists recommend for kids.
Ewg baby insect repellent.
Do not apply repellent to children s hands because they sometimes put their hands in their mouths.
Never spray insect repellent directly onto your child s face.
Choose a repellent with picaridin at a 10 to 20 percent concentration deet at a 7 to 10 percent concentration or ir3535 at a 20 percent concentration.
In efficacy testing picaridin performs like deet appearing to repel a wide range of pests.
Use products in lotion pump or towelette form.
Never apply insect repellent to children younger than 2 months.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus with enhanced pmd concentration.
Instead spray a little on your hands first and then rub it on your child s face.
Do not spray insect repellent on cu ts wounds or irritated skin.
Ir3535 whose full chemical name is 3 n butyl n acetyl aminopropionic acid ethyl ester is structurally.
Visit our website for recommendations for older children.
When using repellent on a child apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child.
Putting fine netting over strollers and baby carriers is the best solution.
You may also consider oil of lemon eucalyptus at a 30 to 40 percent concentration or pmd at a 10 percent concentration unless your child is under 3 years old see note or 2 undecanone.
Ewg s 2018 guide to bug repellents.
Other good repellent choices.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus and its synthetic derivative pmd learn more 2 undecanone learn more.
It s also non greasy and sweat resistant which is great for active kiddos who are constantly on the move.
But check the bottle s active ingredients for concentration percentages.
Our top picks are deet picaridin and ir3535.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus ole paramenthane diol pmd 2 undecanone.
30 concentration 19 pmd provides up to six hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
Avoid the eyes and mouth.
This 15 percent deet bug spray one of slaughter atiemo s favored mosquito repellent for babies fights off mosquitoes ticks gnats biting flies chiggers and fleas as all repellents made with deet do.
Don t use bug repellents on infants under 6 months old.
Most effective botanical ingredient.