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  2. Insect Repellents

Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients

The following are active ingredients in EPA-registered skin-applied insect repellents:

Search for Insect Repellents
  • Find insect repellent products registered by EPA
  • Catnip oil -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (Nepeta cataria, also known as catmint) (4 products)
  • Oil of citronella (3 registered products; also used in unregistered products that meet the requirements for exemption from registration)
    • EPA pesticide regulatory information
    • National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) citronella fact sheet 
  • DEET (more than 500 products)
  • IR 3535 -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester) (about 45 products)
  • p-Menthane-3,8-diol (pmd) -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (6 products)
  • Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (contains pmd, but is a separately regulated pesticide chemical) (6 products)
  • Picaridin (about 40 products)
    • EPA pesticide regulatory information
    • NPIC picaridin fact sheet 
  • 2-undecanone -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (or methyl nonyl ketone) (1 product)

Read about EPA regulation of skin-applied insect repellents

Insect Repellents

  • About Insect Repellents
  • Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites
  • Tips to Prevent Tick Bites
  • Finding the Right Repellent for You
  • Using Repellents Safely and Effectively
  • Ingredients in Skin Applied Repellents
  • Regulation of Skin Applied Repellents
Contact Us About Insect Repellents
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 29, 2025
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