Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Guide

With summer now upon us, all across the U.S. we are spending more time outdoors- from family picnics to making s’mores around the campfire, having fun filled beach days to hiking up your favorite trail. Whatever it may be, summer time is when most are spending their time outdoors. I know being some one who has lived their whole life in Massachusetts, I understand the importance it is for people to take advantage of this time to be outdoors & do what we are unable to do the rest of the year. These few months are our time to let go & have fun.

However, with warmer weather also comes bugs, more specifically, biting bugs. Not only are these bug bites are itchy & annoying, but some known to possibly carry diseases like malaria, West Nile or Zika virus from mosquito bites or Lyme disease from deer ticks. These diseases are not similar to a bad cold where you can rest for a day or two and then you are good to go. Some of these diseases are deadly or can effect a person for the rest of their life. I know a few people who have contracted Lyme disease and it’s heartbreaking to see someone you care about in so much pain. That is why, just like making sure you are wearing SPF protection to protect your skin from the sun, it’s also important to wear insect repellent to protect your health from these bug biting diseases.

That is where Avon’s most beloved Skin So Soft Bug Guard collection comes into play. Below learn more about Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard products & how they can help keep you protected & healthy all summer long.

Learn more about Avon’s Skin So Soft by checking out Body Care with Avon’s Skin So Soft

Why Bug Guard?

There are a wide variety of insect repellents available, so what makes Bug Guard so special? All Bug Guard products are DEET-free formulas and use CDC approved Picaridin and IR3535 instead. So why is this such a big deal? Though DEET is EPA approved & is known to be an effective repellent, especially when it comes to mosquitoes, safety experts find that frequent use of DEET can cause short & long term effects to your health. Though most adverse reactions to DEET are allergic reactions such as redness, rash & swelling, however, there are more serious reactions when used frequently, incorrectly (such as applying it more than once a day) or long term. According to Christine Ruggeri, CHHC (Ruggeri, 2018) “most cases of serious side effects caused by DEET involve long-term, heavy, frequent or whole-body application of the repellent. But for some people, DEET can lead to adverse skin reactions, seizures and brain malfunction, fatigue, respiratory conditions and possibly even cancer.”

In my research, it seems like most of the world has stopped or is currently working on fading out the use of DEET insect repellents. “Picaridin is a compound found in many mosquito repellents used in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Asia. Its chemical name, which you might find in the list of “active ingredients” on a product, is KBR 3023. Years of safe use of picaridin in other parts of the world show that it’s safe and effective.” (Hirsch, 2019)

What is Picaridin?

Picaridin is a chemical compound that is effective in repelling mosquitoes, ticks, lice, mites & fleas. It is derived from Piperine, which gives it the spicy scent that, though is odorless to humans, repels insects. (Tick Repellent Guide, 2021) In my research, this was continually mentioned to be a safer alternative to use instead of DEET.

How to Safely Apply Insect Repellent

According to the EPA, the safest & most effective way to apply & use insect repellents is:

• Make sure to read instructions to ensure proper use & check for any warnings, such as flammability.
• Apply only to exposed skin & clothing. Do not apply to skin under clothes.
• Do not directly apply to face. Spray onto hands and apply sparingly, being careful around eyes & mouth.
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin
• Apply outdoors, in open area.
• Avoid breathing it in & applying around food.
• Make sure to clean skin & clothes after use.
• Use other preventative actions to help keep you protected such as:
  • Wearing long sleeves & long pants
  • Tucking pants into socks
  • Use head nets
  • Replace outdoor lights with “bug lights”
  • Use of fan when sitting outdoors (blows the mosquitoes away)

To learn more, check out EPA’s Safety Guide by clicking here.

Bug Guard Product Guide

From fun in the sun & water to relaxation by the campfire under the moon, find the perfect mosquito & bug repellent for every outdoor activity you & your family love to do all summer long.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Anti Itch Spray (Regular Price: $11): An itch relief spray for bug bites, minor burns, sunburn, minor cuts, scrapes, and minor skin irritations.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 28 Aerosol Spray (Regular Price: $20): Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus for 8 hours. An unscented, DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen product.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 30 Family Size Pump Spray (Regular Price: $24): A DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen product. Also available in Travel Size.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 30 Pump Spray (Regular Price: $15): A DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen product. Also available in Travel Size.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Gentle Breeze SPF 30 Lotion (Regular Price: $15): Effectively repels mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, sand flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges. PABA-free and DEET-free. With vitamin E and aloe.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray (Regular Price: $20): Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Family Size Pump Spray (Regular Price: $24): Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges.” Also available in Travel Size.

Skin So Soft Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray (Regular Price: $15): Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. Also available in Travel Size.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes (Regular Price: $16): Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. Resealable bag holds 8 packets.

NOTE: It is not recommended to use bug repellent with sunblock due to having to reapply sunblock every two hours which can lead to over exposure of the bug repellent. I highly recommend using the Skin So Soft Bug Guard with SPF on top of your regular SPF protection as an extra boost of protection from the sun.

How to Purchase Bug Guard?

You can purchase Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard products through your local Avon representative or shop online at avon.com where you can enjoy FREE SHIPPING with your $60+ online order.

Enjoy customer pricing, exclusive offers, coupon codes & more when you shop Avon with Jen Antunes at youravon.com/jantunes.

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Resources:

Below is a list of articles & resources I used in my research for this blog post (ABC order):

• CDC: Traveler’s Health Yellow Book, Chapter 3 (2021)
• Dr. Axe: 6 Deet Dangers (Plus, Safer Science-Backed Swaps) by Christine Ruggeri, CHHC (August 5, 2018)
• EPA: Using Insect Repellents Safely & Effectively (2021)
• Everyday Health: What Bit Me? Spot These 13 Bug Bites by Andrea Bledsoe, PhD (April 23, 2021)
• Kid’s Health: Are Insect Repellents with Deet Safe for Kids? by Larissa Hirsch, MD (August 2019)
• Tick Repellent Guide: What is Picaridin? (2021)
• Washington Post: Chemical-based Insect Repellents Work, But You May Want to Try Safer Alternatives by Consumer Reports (June 23, 2014)