# DEET

> DEET is the most studied EPA-registered insect repellent active ingredient, effective against mosquitoes and ticks. The CDC reports its efficacy peaks around 50% concentration, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET.

**Type:** ingredients
**Categories:** bug-spray
**Risk Level:** caution
**Evidence Strength:** strong
**Last Reviewed:** 2026-06-15
**Source:** https://www.r3recs.com/learn/ingredients/deet

## Also Known As

- N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide
- N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide
- Diethyltoluamide

## Where Found

- Skin-applied mosquito and tick repellent sprays, lotions, and wipes
- Combination sunscreen-plus-repellent products (which the CDC and AAP both advise avoiding)
- High-concentration sportsman or outbreak-area formulas (often 30% and above)
- Family and kid-formulated repellents at lower concentrations (around 7% to 10% DEET)

## Health Concerns

**Concentration and over-application:** The real concern with DEET for families is not that low concentrations are unsafe, it is that higher concentrations add irritation risk without adding protection. The CDC reports that DEET efficacy tends to peak at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products applied to children should not contain more than 30% DEET.

**Short-term irritation:** NPIC notes that while uncommon, products with DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation. The EPA advises applying repellent only to exposed skin, never under clothing or over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.

**Carcinogenicity:** The EPA lists DEET as not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity, and NPIC notes that none of the common repellent ingredients have been shown to damage genes in lab tests.

**Rare neurological effects:** EWG notes that in very rare cases DEET has been reported to impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures, tremors, and slurred speech, which is part of the rationale for limiting concentration on children.

**Gear damage:** EWG and REI both note DEET can damage plastic, rubber, and vinyl on clothing, backpacks, glasses, watches, and cameras.

## Regulatory Status

**US EPA:** DEET is EPA-registered, meaning the manufacturer provided EPA with technical data on effectiveness. The EPA states DEET is approved for use on children with no age restriction and that there is no federal restriction on the percentage of DEET for use on children.

**CDC:** Recommends EPA-registered repellents and states DEET can be used on children older than 2 months; EPA-registered products are considered safe when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

**American Academy of Pediatrics:** Recommends that products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET.

**Health Canada / EWG:** EWG recommends following Canadian guidance limiting DEET to 30% in any product, with weaker concentrations for young children (5 to 10% DEET for ages 2 to 12, no DEET under 6 months).

## Label Guide

**Look for:**
- An EPA registration number (EPA Reg. No.) on the label, which the CDC recommends as proof of tested effectiveness
- Concentration stated as a percentage so you can match duration to your time outdoors
- 30% DEET or lower for products applied to children (AAP guidance)
- Single active ingredient (avoid combination sunscreen-plus-repellent products per CDC and AAP)

**Avoid / misleading:**
- Very high DEET concentrations (above 50%), which the CDC says add no marked protection
- Combination sunscreen-plus-DEET products (CDC and AAP advise against them)
- DEET products for infants under 2 months
- No EPA registration number on the label

## Who Is At Risk

- Infants younger than 2 months, on whom the CDC and AAP do not recommend DEET at all
- Children, for whom the AAP recommends no more than 30% DEET and EWG suggests 5 to 10% for ages 2 to 12
- People with sensitive or broken skin, since the EPA warns never to apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin
- Anyone reapplying frequently, since higher concentration and repeated application raise short-term irritation risk per NPIC

## What Helps

Match the DEET concentration to your time outdoors rather than reaching for the strongest bottle: the AAP notes 10% DEET protects for about 2 hours and 30% for about 5 hours, and the CDC reports efficacy peaks near 50% with no added benefit above that. For children, stay at or below the AAP's 30% cap, and per the EPA apply to your own hands first and then onto the child rather than letting children handle the product. Apply only to exposed skin, never under clothing or over broken skin, and wash it off with soap and water once you are back indoors. EWG notes DEET can damage plastics, so keep it away from glasses, watches, and gear.

## R3 Bottom Line

- DEET is the most studied repellent active ingredient and remains the benchmark for protection against mosquitoes and ticks; the CDC states it is safe when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- More DEET is not better. The CDC reports efficacy peaks around 50% and concentrations above that offer no marked increase in protection time, so very high percentages add irritation risk without adding hours.
- For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends products contain no more than 30% DEET, and the CDC says DEET can be used on children older than 2 months.
- Concentration sets duration, not strength: the AAP notes 10% DEET protects for about 2 hours and 30% for about 5 hours, so match the percentage to how long you will be outside.
- DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation per NPIC, and EWG notes it can damage plastic, rubber, and vinyl on gear, so apply to exposed skin only and wash off when back indoors.

## FAQ

### Is DEET safe for kids and babies?

DEET is considered safe for most children when used as directed, but not for newborns. The CDC says DEET can be used on children older than 2 months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET. The EPA advises applying it to your own hands first and then onto the child, rather than letting children handle the product. For babies under 2 months, neither the CDC nor the AAP recommends DEET, so physical barriers like mosquito netting are the safer choice.

### What concentration of DEET is safe and effective?

More DEET buys you time, not strength, and there is a ceiling. The CDC reports that DEET efficacy tends to peak at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes 10% DEET protects for about 2 hours and 30% for about 5 hours. For children, the AAP recommends staying at or below 30%, and EWG suggests 5 to 10% for ages 2 to 12. Choose the concentration that matches how long you will be outside rather than the highest available.

### At what age can children use DEET?

The CDC recommends that DEET can be used on children older than 2 months. Below that age, neither the CDC nor the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends DEET. The AAP also notes that it does not recommend insect repellents for children younger than 2 months at all, so for newborns, physical barriers such as mosquito netting over a stroller or carrier are the safer option.

### Is more DEET better protection?

No. Higher concentration extends how long the protection lasts, but it does not make the repellent stronger, and there is a ceiling. The CDC reports that efficacy peaks at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that offer no marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes. NPIC similarly notes products with more than 50% DEET offer no extra protection. Very high concentrations only raise the risk of short-term skin or eye irritation, so the practical move is to match the percentage to your time outdoors.

### Does DEET cause any side effects or skin irritation?

DEET can cause short-term irritation in some people. NPIC notes that while uncommon, products with DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation, and the EPA warns never to apply it over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. EWG notes that in very rare cases DEET has been reported to impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures and tremors, which is part of why concentrations on children are limited. The EPA lists DEET as not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. Apply only to exposed skin and wash it off when you are back indoors.

## Sources

- [Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively](https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively) — *US Environmental Protection Agency* (2024)
- [CDC Yellow Book: Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/environmental-hazards-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods.html) — *US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* (2024)
- [Insect Repellents Fact Sheet](https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html) — *National Pesticide Information Center (OSU/EPA)* (2024)
- [EWG's Guide to Bug Repellents](https://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/bug-repellents) — *Environmental Working Group* (2024)
- [How to Choose an Insect Repellent for Your Child](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Insect-Repellents.aspx) — *American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)* (2024)
- [Best Insect Repellents for You and Your Family](https://www.consumerreports.org/health/insect-repellent/best-insect-repellents-for-you-and-your-family-a4042114470/) — *Consumer Reports* (2024)
- [The Best Bug Spray for Kids](https://www.babygearlab.com/topics/health-safety/best-bug-spray) — *BabyGearLab* (2024)
- [How to Choose Insect Repellent](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html) — *REI Expert Advice* (2024)

---

Source: https://www.r3recs.com/learn/ingredients/deet
Methodology: https://www.r3recs.com/methodology/how-we-score-products