Insect repellent moisturiser/body spray

[HollyGolightly4]

I'm in the UK, but am likely to be outside quite a lot over the next few weeks and little insect critters seem to adore my blood!

When I go on holiday, I use things like jungle formula, but it smells so strong. Are there any insect repellent creams that don't smell vile?!

Or, does anyone have any recommendations of alternative methods?

Thank you

Incognito

Lots of people recommend Avon Skin So Soft.

Mrs Whites Unstung hero is great

Off! is an American brand that has a delicate floral smell. You can get it on Amazon.

Start Vit B two weeks before outdoor trips and a daily anti-histamine one week before, to get them into your system. It won't prevent bites, but will lessen your reaction to them.

I'm highly allergic to insect bites and use a deet formula for bites, plus take anti-histamines twice daily in summer. Incognito only offers low level protection.

Pure lakes anti insect lotion is lovely , it's neem, mint and lemongrass. It's kind to the skin , pleasant but mild smelling & it works.

Second Avon skin so soft, apparently the Royal Marines use it! Midges live me, but I find this is very effective.

I can recommend Smidge. I think it smells a bit like CK1

I find Skin So Soft is really drying and useless as a moisturiser. No idea whether it repels anything, I eat a lot of marmite and that apparently works.

Another vote for Mrs Whites Unstung Heroes, I use it as perfume in the summer I like it so much.

If I'm somewhere with a lot of mozzies I layer it over Soltan anti bite aftersun.

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I'm going to my nearest city in Sunday so will stock up and see what I can find!

I used skin so soft once, was bitten to f*ck, more than when I didn't use. It's a no from me

Smidge is good.

I wouldn't touch the Avon crap with a barge pole, it's dreadful! It is horribly slimy, smells really awful and does nothing to repel insects. I think Avon were very keen to leap on rumours that it worked as an insect repellent and their reps have been pedalling the myth ever since.

Incognito is endorsed by the nhs and who for tropical diseases so it actually works not just quack

Incognito from Holland and Barratt. Use the body wash/ shampoo product - it's very good. Need to order online for store pick up on that one. I used Avon Skin So Soft on top of that.

Try the Boots kids one - I’m also apparently extremely delicious to the bugs and this one is fine for UK and parts of Europe. Smells fine and decent price.

It’s called Repel Kids (lol) and I get the pump spray.

Jumping on to ask another insect question if that's ok Op .

Do the wrist band things work really ?

Absolutely fine @bizzey , also curious about the answer!

@Arraminta , which version of Off! do you use, please? I’ve had a look on Amazon and there are several types! Thanks very much

Boots' own-brand sunblock Soltan make one that is both 50+SPF and insect repellent. It doesn't stink like most repellents and doesn't have a strong perfume like too many sunscreens, and it's not expensive (about £10 for 200mL). And you are quite right to get the repellent and sunblock all-in-one because using separate sunblock and insect repellent means that each undermines the other so neither works properly. Like you, I am a sad magnet for both insect bites and sunburn.

Yes they do, I'm a dog walker and wear them all the time, no bites for me.
Skin so soft works as well.

Smidge had changed my life! We live near a river near the Scottish border so lots of midgets…. The only time I get bitten is if I forget to put smidge on. It’s so much more gentle smell wise etc then the stuff I used before it was recommended to it.

Which brand do you use @CarrieAnnQ !

Thanks to the pp for the skin so soft suggestions, I've been loving it.

Pestects 😊