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In the insect repellent market, DEET and Icaridin have an important position. In recent decades, DEET has long been the gold standard for insect repellents, but Icaridin is quickly gaining recognition as a superior alternative. Icaridin provides equal or superior protection with significantly better user experience, security, and versatility. For companies seeking to provide customers with the most effective and user-friendly pest control products, Icaridin represents the future of deworming technology.
What is DEET?
N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946. It has always been the preferred choice for mosquito repellents. Its widespread application stems from extensive research, validated effectiveness, and extensive regulatory approvals worldwide.DEET remains the most recognized active ingredient in the global insect repellent market.
What is Icaridin?
Icaridin (Pecardin) was developed by Bayer in the 1980s. It is a synthetic compound inspired by the natural compound piperine found in black pepper plants. Icaridin was first introduced to the European and Australian markets in 1998 and obtained approval from the US FDA in 2005.
Now, it has become the best-selling active ingredient for deworming worldwide, representing an important step towards more advanced deworming technologies that consumers prefer.
Icaridin vs DEET: Head-to-Head Comparison
Mosquito Protection
Icaridin and DEET both have excellent mosquito repellent effects. In the analysis of the mosquito repellent effect testing of Icaridin and DEET in 2018, researchers concluded that the protective effect provided by mosquito repellents based on Icaridin and DEET is roughly the same. However, some studies suggest that Icardin may be more effective in repelling mosquitoes.
| Icaridin | DEET |
| Provides consistent, long-lasting protection | Extensively tested across decades of use |
| Effective against multiple mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti | Proven effective against the widest range of mosquito species |
| Maintains efficacy even in humid conditions | Higher concentrations are available for extreme conditions |
| No loss of effectiveness over extended periods | Well-established dose-response relationship |
Tick Protection
In terms of tick protection, both mosquito repellents perform well. No significant differences were found in the efficacy between the two mosquito repellents and between the two tested mosquitoes.
For tick protection, both repellents offer:
- Effective repellency against various tick species
- Protection against disease-carrying ticks
- Suitable for high-risk areas where tick-borne diseases are prevalent
Other Insects
Icaridin and DEET can both broad-spectrum prevent and treat various biting insects, including flies, gnats, chiggers and fleas. They all provide the strongest, longest-lasting protection against a wide range of biting insects.
Protection Duration
Icaridin Duration
Even after 10 hours, the efficacy of the Icaridin solution was still at a level of 98 %. This exceptional duration makes Icaridin particularly valuable for:
- Extended outdoor activities
- All-day protection scenarios
- Situations where reapplication is difficult
- Professional applications requiring long-lasting protection
DEET Duration
DEET duration varies significantly with concentration:
- 10% DEET: 2-4 hours of protection
- 20% DEET: 4-6 hours of protection
- 30% DEET: 6-8 hours of protection
- Higher concentrations: Up to 10-12 hours
Factors Affecting Duration
Several factors influence how long either repellent remains effective:
Concentration of active ingredient
Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind)
- Physical activity level and sweating
- Skin type and absorption rates
- Presence of water or rain
- Application method and coverage
Safety Profiles
Icaridin safety advantages
Unlike DEET, Icaridin does not dissolve plastics, synthetic materials, or sealants, is odorless and non-greasy, and has a lower risk of toxicity when used with sunscreen.
- Lower incidence of skin irritation
- Non-greasy, pleasant feel on skin
- Compatible with sunscreen use
- Less than 6% of the applied doses were absorbed after an 8-hour exposure
DEET considerations:
- DEET has been more widely studied than any other repellent, and the EPA reports that using DEET as instructed does not present a health concern to the general population, including children
- May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals
- Can feel greasy or sticky on the skin
- May interact with certain sunscreen ingredients
Children and Sensitive Users
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends DEET for children over 2 months old.DEET is a widely used mosquito repellent ingredient with low toxicity to the human body but mild irritation to the skin. The recommended concentration for children should be below 30%.
Icardin is also suitable for children over 2 months old and can even be used for sensitive skin. Icardin is considered milder than DEET and less irritating to the skin and eyes. Its mosquito repellent effect is also very good, and it has no skin penetration, which does not harm plastics and fabrics.
| ITEM | DEET | Icaridin |
| Skin reactions | May cause sensitization and dissolve synthetic clothing | Odorless, non-sticky, and non-damaging to plastic/synthetic materials |
| Children | Prohibited for those under 2 months old; June to 2 years old ≤ 10% concentration | Recommended by Canadian authorities as the first choice for individuals aged 6 months and above |
| Pregnant/breastfeeding period | Be cautious (restricted by some institutions) | Most countries approve the use of (EU/Australia-certified security) |
| Environmental toxicity | Low toxicity risk to aquatic organisms | High biodegradability, negligible environmental residue |
Authoritative advice： DEET is the only mosquito repellent explicitly recommended by WHO for infants and pregnant women, but Icaridin has become the preferred safe ingredient to replace DEET due to its lower toxicity
Environmental Impact
DEET has a relatively significant impact on the environment. It exhibits certain toxicity to aquatic organisms such as cold-water fish. In some water bodies, such as the Mississippi River, monitoring shows that the concentration of mosquito repellent can reach 5 to 201 nanograms per liter. In addition, DEET can dissolve plastics, synthetic fibers, and certain leather, which may cause damage to certain items in the environment.
Icardin is a relatively safer mosquito repellent with minimal environmental impact. Compared to DEET, it also has lower toxicity to aquatic organisms. It is a broad-spectrum repellent with advantages such as no allergenicity, no skin penetration, and no environmental hazards.
User Experience
Odor and Feel
It often has a strong smell of essential oil, which may be pungent to some people. There may be a greasy feeling when using it because its chemical composition forms a protective film on the skin, but this oil film may be uncomfortable for some people.
Its odor is relatively mild and closer to a natural scent, usually considered to be odorless or light, so many people find it easier to accept than DEET. It feels relatively light, non-greasy, and closer to the feeling of general skincare products. It will not have any impact on plastic or synthetic fibers, so you can use it with confidence.
Conclusion
Both Icaridin and DEET represent excellent choices for insect protection, each with distinct advantages. Based on current research and user feedback, Icaridin emerges as the preferred choice for most applications due to its superior user experience, excellent safety profile, gear compatibility, and long-lasting protection.
The future of insect repellent technology continues to evolve, but for now, both Icaridin and DEET remain the gold standard for reliable, effective insect protection in commercial and personal applications.
