What is picaridin and should you worry about it?
Picaridin is an EPA-registered insect repellent that EWG names a top pick because it is less likely than DEET to irritate skin or trigger allergies. EPA data show 20% picaridin protects against mosquitoes and ticks for 8 to 14 hours.
Renee · Founder & Lead Researcher, R3
We score every product the same way and never accept brand payment. We may earn a commission from some links, which never changes a score. How we stay independent.
Quick facts
Get the research before you buy
New picks and safety research, no spam, no sponsors.
Generally well tolerated: Among EPA-registered repellents, picaridin is the one EWG calls the best bet for sensitive skin because it is less likely to irritate skin and trigger allergies. REI similarly notes it is not hard on sensitive skin or plastics.
Reported irritation: NPIC notes that people have reported skin and eye irritation from products with picaridin, and that vomiting has also been reported, so it is not entirely free of side effects.
Carcinogenicity: NPIC notes that none of the common repellent ingredients, picaridin included, have been shown to damage genes in lab tests.
General application precautions: As with all repellents, the EPA advises applying only to exposed skin, never under clothing or over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
US EPA: Picaridin is EPA-registered, and EPA registration data underlie the 8-to-14-hour protection figure for 20% concentration.
CDC: States picaridin can be used on children without age restriction, and recommends EPA-registered repellents as proven effective and safe when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
EWG: Names picaridin one of three key recommended active ingredients and the best bet for sensitive skin at 5 to 20% concentration.
REI: Notes the CDC recommends picaridin on children 2 months or older, applied sparingly at lower concentrations.
How to reduce exposure
For families wanting strong protection with the lowest irritation risk, picaridin is the ingredient EWG points to first. Choose a 20% formula for all-day coverage (8 to 14 hours per EPA data) or 10% for shorter outings (5 to 12 hours). The CDC allows picaridin on children without age restriction, though REI notes applying sparingly at lower concentrations for kids. Apply to exposed skin only, avoid the eyes and mouth, and spot-test on sensitive skin since NPIC notes some irritation has been reported. Because picaridin does not damage plastics the way DEET can (per REI), it is the safer choice around glasses, watches, and gear.
Who is most at risk
Look for these
Watch out for
What this means for your family
Every product scored on safety, efficacy, and usability - so you know which bug spray to trust around picaridin.
Get the Bug Spray shortlist, free
The picks that cleared safety, what to skip, and why price didn’t predict the winner.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
Picaridin is widely considered one of the gentlest effective repellents for children. The CDC says picaridin can be used on children without age restriction, and BabyGearLab names a 20% picaridin spray its best overall bug spray for kids. EWG calls picaridin the best bet for sensitive skin because it is less likely to irritate skin and trigger allergies. REI notes the CDC recommends it on children 2 months or older, applied sparingly at lower concentrations. NPIC does note some people have reported skin or eye irritation, so spot-test on sensitive skin first.
For most everyday use, yes. REI notes picaridin has proven just about equal to DEET in repelling power, without being hard on sensitive skin and plastics. EPA registration data show 20% picaridin is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for 8 to 14 hours, comparable to higher-concentration DEET. Consumer Reports cautions that in its lab testing it has seen many picaridin products fall short of DEET, so for high-risk tick or disease areas, choose a 20% picaridin formula or DEET. For typical backyard and park use, 20% picaridin is a strong, gentler alternative.
EWG identifies 5 to 20% picaridin as the effective range and calls it the best bet for sensitive skin. EPA registration data show 20% picaridin protects against mosquitoes and ticks for 8 to 14 hours, while 10% protects for 5 to 12 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes 5% picaridin protects for 3 to 4 hours and 20% for 8 to 12 hours. Match the concentration to how long you will be outdoors: 20% for all-day coverage, lower for short outings.
The CDC states that picaridin can be used on children without age restriction, alongside DEET, IR3535, and 2-undecanone. REI notes the CDC recommends applying it to children 2 months or older sparingly at lower concentrations. This makes picaridin one of the most flexible repellents for families, with a wider age window than oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is restricted to children 3 years and older.
Generally, yes. EWG calls picaridin the best bet for sensitive skin because it is less likely to irritate skin and trigger allergies than DEET. REI notes it is not hard on sensitive skin or plastics, unlike DEET, which EWG says can damage plastic, rubber, and vinyl on gear. That said, picaridin is not side-effect free: NPIC notes some people have reported skin and eye irritation, and vomiting has also been reported. Apply to exposed skin only and spot-test if your skin is reactive.
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.