Best mosquito repellents for VERY susceptible skin?

[Panicmode1]

We are heading to Thailand later in the year - I usually get bitten to pieces, even smothered in repellent. Someone recommended the Avon Softer Skin (?) stuff to me and said it is fabulous - does it really work?

Any other recommendations that aren't maybe so DEET heavy...?

Don’t know what to suggest. In the past travelling to India have taken a small amount from here and then relatives in India had the stuff they use for babies and young children. (In India Odomos but there may be another local to Thailand. Obviously you won’t know before about ingredients and maybe expensive if you’re going to a tourist destination.

It's been a successful marketing tool for Avon but it's just a cosmetic and doesn't work. If you used it and didn't get bitten it's a coincidence.
My problem is that bites become infected due to my immune system. I use deet. Thing is never set foot outside without it. The worst time for bites is the if you arrive late and forget because you haven't unpacked.

Jungle Formula, 50% DEET.

I know you said something not so DEET heavy, but really, it is the only thing that works.

No advice on deet alternatives but i would say not to wait for a bite before taking antihistamine, make sure you have taken them a day or two in advance and continue for the trip duration. And not benadryl; have loratadine or similar. Also, avoid floral/sweet scents in body wash, deodorant etc.

Brilliant - thank you all.

Looks as though I am stuck with the DEET options, but I will take Smidge too as I've never tried it and I know that Jungle Formula is effective, even if I don't like the chemicals.

I got bitten to buggery in Egypt a couple of years back. Done a bit of research when I came back home. I found vitamin B complex works for me, take 1 every day 10 days before you travel. Sadly it didn't work for my dp but I have been to the places where mosquitos frequent since and not 1 bite.
Good luck

Also use physical barriers if they are there. Sleep under nets (and try not to let your arm lol against the net. Close screens and wear long sleeves and trousers. Remember your feet if you wear sandals.

Take me! Mosquitoes love me more than anyone.

Unfortunately, DEET really is the best option. Don’t wear any perfume and use unperfumed deodorant, soap skin products, shampoo and conditioner. You can get mosquito repellent sunscreen and after sun or use unperfumed. Cover up with long, loose sleeves and trousers (at dusk at least) and avoid black, dark blue, red and orange clothes.

Agree with all of the other posters-you need the hardcore stuff. Don’t listen to any Avon reps or their mates telling you to buy that revolting spray-you will smell vile and they will still bite you-don’t waste your money! I bet they were thrilled the day someone announced they thought it helped repel mosquitos and have been milking it ever since!!

Avon Skin So Soft works for me. I have in the past had ulcerated legs from mosquito bites. Since using this in the early evening and taking an antihistamine every evening I have been much better (my dr recommended loritadine based antihistimes as they are non drowsy). Still may get an odd bite but am no longer covered in them. Word of warning when you spray the Skin So Soft the floor gets very slippy. I have only ever used it in Europe.

Following this with interest. Last year in Malta was the first time I ever got mosquito bites, I got several on my face it was awful! I read a tip on here about putting a hot spoon on the bites for relief from the bastard itching and omg it saved my life. Going to Croatia in a couple if weeks, looks like I will be bringing DEET with me.

Also mossie magnet, even deet doesn't keep them at bay and skin so soft didn't work either. Recently discovered that the jungle formula kids lotion works quite well and it's not as unhealthy as deet.

Smidge.
I also buy the impregnated bracelets and wear one on each limb, long sleeves and trousers etc.
Can try taking brewers yeast supplements before and during hols.
Best ever though is my daughter, who must taste even yummier than me. Usually I get covered, but since she came along they feast on her instead poor thing!

Picaridin is new repellent and it’s much kinder on your skin than Deet. Trials have shown it to be effective. Forget absolutely anything else.

If you do get bitten, take antihistamines and use a mild steroid cream.

Incognito is pretty good. I react really badly to those little bastard tiger mosquitos, full blown blisters and bruises that last for ages, sand flies too. It isn't 100% but does help. I use it in the garden against ticks too, and seems to help keep them away.

I'm a mosi magnet currently with 5 very itchy bites around my ankle from mowing the grass. Skin so Soft does work on me however for some reason I only use it on holiday when I clearly need it at home too.

I use DEET bands around wrists & ankles, very effective & nicer to use than a spray or roll-on.

Please don't try Skin So Soft if mosquitos love you. It doesn't work for me and I got bitten to fuck. Ditto those wrist bands that people rave about- I used them.in Italy last year and got so many bites.

Incognito works though as does Smidge. I use those during the day and then full on Deet at night.

Smidge is good!

There is also a local person to me who makes an excellent midge repellent that you can buy online, called Cubby's Salve, it's really effective!!

This honestly works for me and I normally get bitten more than anyone else I know. No DEET.

Thailand has a mosquito repellant by Soffell, it's super cheap and really effective. We stock up on it to use in all Asian countries. It smells nice and glides on easily, not sticky at all. I think you could find it in the airport on landing.

Tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, lavender and citronella essential oils are all natural bug repellents. I use one of the above dotted onto my wrists, behind my ears, elbow creases, knee creases and ankles inside and outside of leg. Ideally you should apply on top of a carrier oil (skin so soft does come in handy for this) but I don't always and its never affected my skin. I find this method along with long trousers and absolutely no perfume whatsoever quite effective. It's not completely fool proof though and still get the occasional bite. 3 or 4 bites is better than the 100s I used to get though.

Skin So Soft is wonderful against the ferocious midges of the Highlands but I'm not sure it would stand up against a swarm of determined mosquitos.

in India we lemon soap to wash with which was supposed to help. My sister swears by taking vitamin b something