With Zika virus concerns and other viruses that mosquitos carry; you may be wondering if your Skin-So-Soft is the best protection against mosquitos.
Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil enjoys a decades-long reputation as an effective insect repellent. Avon emphasizes the oil isn’t designed as a bug spray, and it makes no claims that it works as one.
Many Avon customers swear by their Avon Skin-So-soft keeping mosquitos away. My mother-in-law actually introduced me to it before I became an Avon representative and it is all she ever used.
I personally have not tried to use Skin-So-soft as a bug repellent so I can’t tell you from personal experience if it works as a bug spray or not.
Instead I use the Bug Guard line of products for my family; which works at keeping the mosquitos and gnats away.
My Skin So Soft bath oil is for my bath and other uses. Did you know it actually gets sap out of your clothes?
Click HERE to read more about Avon Skin-So-Soft uses.
Consumer Report States the following: Not a Good Insect-Repellent Choice
The Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil didn’t perform well in our most recent insect-repellent testing. That result tracks with the last time we tested the product’s insect-repellent abilities, way back in 1993.
This time around, the oil provided only about two hours of protection from deer ticks and two kinds of mosquitoes, the Aedes variety (aggressive daytime biters that can spread Zika), and Culex (nighttime biters that can carry West Nile). That would put it among the worst-performing insect repellents we tested: The products we recommend generally protect for upwards of seven hours.
“While we know that many consumers have turned to Skin So Soft Bath Oil, the product is actually not intended to repel mosquitoes or sold for that purpose, and is not approved by the EPA as a repellent,” Avon told Consumer Reports.
So why choose Bug Guard Bug over Skin So Soft?
Most insect repellants out there are loaded with toxic chemicals, including the pesticide DEET, which is so poisonous that even the Environmental Protection Agency says you should wash it off your skin when you return indoors, avoid breathing it in and not spray it directly on your face.
One of the most serious concerns of DEET is it’s effect on the central nervous system.
The good news is that Avon has a line of products that are DEET free.
Avon bug guard is an EPA registered insect repellent that has been around since 1999. It’s deet free and has a variety of formulas.
It has been proven to be as effective as S.C. Johnson’s OFF!! Which contains DEET and without the nasty smell.
Avon Bug Guard FAQ:
Is it safe for my family?
The answer to that question, would be yes. According to the EPA, Picaridin and IR3535 is safe for the whole family; including children, pets, pregnant and nursing mothers.
However it should be applied with the following guidelines in mind:
Apply repellents only to exposed skin.
Do not use repellents under clothing.
Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
When using sprays, do not spray directly on face – spray on hands first and apply to face.
Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin. Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness.
If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent than apply a but more.
If using products containing Picaridin wash treated skin with soap and water after use.
Keep repellent out of reach of children. Do not apply to their hands – they may put their hands in their mouth.
For children under the age of 2 consult a doctor.
What are the active ingredients in the Bug Guard line?
Avon Bug Guard formulas contain either one of the following EPA registered active ingredients:
Picaridin is a synthetically derived ingredient and is an effective alternitive to DEET. It has a low odor with a light clean feel. This syntheticially based ingredient should be washed off after use.
IR3535 is botanically based ingredient. It is non-greasy and an effective repellent that protects agaings a broad range of insects. It is a gentle formula that does not have to be washed off after use or returning indoors.
Which Avon Bug Guard Should I use?
If you will be outdoors during dusk or dawn and in areas where mosquitos and insects are most active SSS bug guard plus Picaridin would be the best choice.
Out and about during the day when sun protection and insect protection is both needed then one of the SSS Bug Guard plus IR3535 formulas would be best.
Either of these products come in an aerosol spray, pump spray or lotion.
Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. 4 oz. net wt.
Picaridin – insect repellent (alternative to DEET). It has a low odor, with a light, clean feel.
BENEFITS • Repels a broad spectrum of biting insects – gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. Mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus. Deer ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease. • DEET-free • Oil-free • Dermatologist tested
TO USE • Hold container 6 to 8 inches from skin and spray with a slow sweeping motion, liberally and evenly. Do not spray in enclosed areas. Do not apply under clothing, on cuts, wounds, freshly shaved, excessively sunburned, or irritated skin • DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO FACE
Needs to be washed off when coming in from the outdoors
• Ask a doctor before using on children under 6 months of age • For protection from gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges, reapply after 7 hours. For mosquitoes reapply after 6 hours. For black flies reapply after 3 hours
Made in USA
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Expedition™ SPF 28
8 hours of protection
Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus for 8 hours. An unscented, DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen product. 4 oz. net wt.
IR3535 – ingredient that provides repellency against a broad range of biting insects, including mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges.
BENEFITS • Repel mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile virus for 8 hours • Provides effective protection against deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies, and biting midges • SPF 28 protection • Does not need to be washed off when returning from the outdoors • DEET-free • Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic
TO USE Apply evenly before sun and insect exposure. An adult must apply this product to children under 10. • Ask a doctor before using on children under 6 months of age • For continued protection from mosquitoes, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges, reapply after 8 hours • For continued protection from deer ticks, reapply after 6 hours and from black flies, reapply after 3 hours • For sunscreen protection, reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming or sweating • Do not exceed 4 applications per day
I hope you have found this information helpful. If you have any questions about this product or any other Avon products; please contact me.
There you have it: Skin-So-Soft versus Bug Guard Bug Repellent. Which one will you choose.
Avon Skin-So-Soft has over 101 uses and although bug repellent is one of them, it may not be the choice for you as a bug repellent. However, because it has all those uses, you will want to add it to your list of products for your home.
In my opinion: If you love using it as bug spray; then use it. Although it does not leave your skin feeling greasy like other oils; I am not sure you will want to spray it on your clothing. Just apply it to your skin.
I prefer to use the Bug Guard that has been tested and because it is safe why waste my Skin-So-Soft on the bugs. I will keep it to use in the tub/shower and other uses.
Monica Brown Hello, and thank-you for visiting my TrustedBeautyBlog. My name is Monica Brown and I have been an Ind. Avon Rep since 2014. I love sharing my product reviews with customers and helping those who want to sell Avon get started. Feel free to leave comments or contact me @ BeautyBossMonica@gmail.com Join my team: StartAvon.com Use Reference: mbrown316
