Side by side
| DEET | Picaridin | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective concentration | 20–30% for 4–8 hours | 20% for 8–14 hours |
| Mosquitoes | Excellent | Excellent, equivalent |
| Ticks | Good | Good; some trials rate it slightly better |
| Odour and feel | Chemical smell, oily | Nearly odourless, light |
| Plastics, watches, sunglasses, synthetic fabrics | Damages them | No effect |
| Skin irritation | Occasional, more at high % | Rare |
| Minimum age (US) | 2 months | 2 months (label guidance) |
| Minimum age (Canada) | 6 months (≤10%) | 6 months |
| Pregnancy | CDC: safe; large trial data | CDC: safe; less direct data |
| Track record | Since 1957 | Since 1998 (EU), 2005 (US) |
| Cost | Lowest | Slightly higher |
| Availability | Everywhere | Most places; fewer brands |
Effectiveness
Head-to-head trials consistently show 20% picaridin and 20–30% DEET providing similar protection against mosquitoes, typically 8 hours or more. Against ticks, a 2015 European study found icaridin at least as effective as DEET, and some field work in the US has favoured picaridin against the blacklegged tick. Lower picaridin concentrations (5–10%) are noticeably weaker and shorter-lived, which is where its reputation for being 'less effective' comes from — the concentration, not the molecule.
Both work on biting flies, chiggers, and fleas. Neither is a good choice against bed bugs or head lice.
Safety
Neither is carcinogenic, a hormone disruptor, or teratogenic at label use. DEET's rare neurological case reports almost all involve ingestion or extreme misuse; picaridin has no such reports, though it's had a third of the time to accumulate them. Both irritate eyes. Picaridin causes less skin irritation and is the one dermatologists tend to suggest for sensitive skin.
In pregnancy both are recommended by the CDC. DEET has the stronger data — a randomised trial in 897 pregnant women found no adverse effects. Picaridin's data are more limited but show nothing concerning.
Practical differences that decide it
- If you wear a watch, sunglasses, or synthetic sports fabric — picaridin. DEET will cloud or soften them.
- If you're spraying kids who'll touch their face — picaridin's lack of odour and lower irritation make compliance easier.
- If you're travelling somewhere with malaria or dengue and want the maximum evidence base — either, with DEET having the edge on data.
- If you have very sensitive skin — picaridin.
- If cost matters and you're covering a large group — DEET is cheaper per application.
- For ticks on a long hike — either, plus permethrin-treated clothing, which matters more than the choice between them.
What about the alternatives?
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) at 30% is a legitimate third option with 4–6 hours of protection, but not for children under three. IR3535 is gentle but short-lived. Everything else sold as a 'natural' repellent — citronella, lavender, essential-oil blends, wristbands — provides little or no protection in controlled tests. Choosing one of those over DEET or picaridin in tick or mosquito-disease country is the risky choice.
Is it in your product?
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Common questions
Is picaridin safer than DEET?
Both are safe as directed. Picaridin irritates skin less and has no neurological case reports; DEET has a longer track record. The differences are small enough that convenience and feel are reasonable grounds for choosing.
Which lasts longer?
At 20%, picaridin typically lasts 8–14 hours against mosquitoes; DEET at 20–30% lasts 4–8. Higher DEET concentrations extend that but don't improve repellency.
Can I use both?
No need. Choose one for skin, and add permethrin on clothing if ticks are the concern.
Which is better for children?
Both are approved from 2 months in the US. Many paediatricians now suggest picaridin 20% first for its lower irritation and lack of smell, with DEET 10–30% as an equally valid alternative.
Related
Sources
- CDC, Prevent Mosquito Bites: repellent guidance
- Büchel et al., Repellent efficacy of DEET, icaridin and EBAAP against ticks, Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2015
- Frances et al., Field evaluation of repellent formulations containing DEET and picaridin, Journal of Medical Entomology
- US EPA, DEET and Picaridin registration documents
- McGready et al., Safety of DEET in pregnancy, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2001