After my sunscreen review post last month I had so many requests to share my favorite insect repellants. I have several in my Favorite Summer Products post but recently was asked by Avon to review and share about their line of Skin So Soft Bug Guard insect repellents. I am also giving y’all a little glimpse of our raised vegetable garden that I’ve had so many questions about.
This post was sponsored by Avon. As always, thanks for supporting brands I love and that allow DoSayGive to bring you great content!
Even though it’s brutally hot in Dallas, I try to get my girls outdoors as much possible. This is the first year we’ve had a raised vegetable garden so it’s given us something to do in the mornings before it gets too hot. The raised garden was a birthday gift from my husband. I sent him a link to one online and he thought, “Well, I can build it better (and cheaper) myself.” And he did.
It really has been the best gift, especially because I can see it right from my kitchen. Something about (trying to) grow things for my family is so satisfying. My five and eight year old love watering the plants in the morning and seeing things blossom and sprout. But, oh my goodness, the mosquitoes can be brutal in our backyard. So I was glad to discover Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard line.
I know many of us grew up using the Avon’s iconic Skin So Soft bath oil as bug protection. While some people still swear by it, Avon is very clear that it is not intended to be used this way and instead refer customers to their line of Skin So Soft Bug Guard insect repellents.
For consumers that don’t want to use products with DEET, I’ve found the Skin So Soft Bug Guard line is a nice alternative. The active ingredient in this line is Picardin (10% concentration).
There is an aerosol spray and pump spray. Neither have that drug store bug spray smell, but actually smell like the Skin So Soft oil. Personally, I prefer the aerosol can for even application, but if you don’t like using aerosol cans with children, or just want to target a specific area (like how mosquitos always go straight for my ankles!), then the spray would be a good option. I currently keep these two products by our back door and they have worked effectively while we are gardening or while I watch the girls ride scooters in the late afternoon.
Another option is Avon’s insect repellent/sunscreen combination line with SPF30. There is an aerosol, spray pump, and lotion. All have extremely high reviews and the lotion has almost all five star reviews. Generally speaking, I’ve read it’s better to use a separate sunscreen everyday (even the SPF in makeup is not as effective as a full-on sunscreen). But for some people this might be a great option. For example, campers that are only going to do one step or gardeners who are just going outside in the sun for a little bit. If you own a vacation home, perhaps leave a few bottles of these outside for guests that forget to bring their own.
Avon’s Insect repellent towelettes would be a great option for packing in a suitcase or to keep in your purse for those nights when you dine al fresco and get eaten alive by mosquitoes!
P.S. A magnifier we found at the local Lakeshore Learning has been a simple but fun activity for the girls who love looking for caterpillars and roly polys and studying our plants up close.
Bottom line: I think mosquitos like some people more than others (they love me!), and I think insect repellents react differently on different skin types. But this line has worked great for our family in Dallas. Right now the entire line is 50% off if you want to try the line for yourself or your family. Let me know what you think!
Thanks so much to Avon for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own!
What do you think?