Ingredents in Cutter Insect Repellents

Cutter insect repellents come in a variety of forms, including products designed to repel mosquitoes outdoors and products to repel insects away from the human body. The active ingredients in the products help repel mosquitoes and keep bugs away.

Ingredients

Cutter insect repellents contain Picaridin or DEET as the active ingredient. Picardin is a chemical developed by Bayer that repels insects. DEET is a chemical compound that repels insects and is safe to use on the body, according to the EPA. The Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent from Cutter is a naturally based mosquito repellent that contains lemon eucalyptus.

Benefits

According to the manufacturer, Cutter brand products repel mosquitoes for up to six hours after the initial application. The Centers for Disease Control lists several of the active ingredients in the products as being highly effective against mosquitoes, including DEET, Picaridin and lemon eucalyptus.

Considerations

Do not spray any Cutter insect repellents directly on your face, but rather spray on your hands first and rub onto the skin. Apply the product to exposed areas of the skin and rub to ensure an even coating. Don't apply the product to open wounds or damaged skin, including sunburns. Avoid spraying around the mouth or nose. Watch for potential signs of an allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing or a rash appearing on the skin.

References

• Cutter: All Family Insect Repellent
• Picaridin: The Science Behind Picaridin
• Environmental Protection Agency; The Insect Repellent DEET; March 23, 2007
• University of Florida; Mosquito Repellents; C. Roxanne Rutledge and Jonathan F. Day