Mosquito Almanac
Field Guide  / Prevention

How to apply mosquito repellent correctly

Prevention Updated Jul 2026 4 min read
Applying-repellent-to-a-child

The short answer

Apply repellent to exposed skin and, when the label allows, to clothing. Use enough to cover that skin with an even coat, but do not soak it on. Follow the product label, because the label tells you where the product can go and how often to reapply. Then reapply only as the label directs.

The simple version: even coat on exposed skin, follow the label, reapply as told. Heavy application does not make a repellent work better (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 2).

Step by step

  1. Read the label first. It tells you the active ingredient, where you can apply it, and how long it lasts before you need more (EPA, source 1).
  2. Shake the container if the label says to, so the product mixes evenly.
  3. Apply to exposed skin only. Do not apply under clothing (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 3).
  4. Use just enough to cover the skin that is showing. “Apply just enough of a repellent to cover exposed skin. Avoid over-applying repellents” (NPIC, source 2).
  5. For the face, do not spray it on directly. Spray or squeeze the product onto your hands first, then rub it onto your face, going lightly around the ears and staying away from the eyes and mouth (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 2).
  6. Do not over-apply. A thin, even layer on exposed skin is the goal, not a soaked coat.

Repellent and sunscreen together

If you need both, put sunscreen on first, let it dry, then apply the repellent over it (NPIC, source 2).

Use two separate products rather than one combined sunscreen-plus-repellent product. Sunscreen needs to go on again fairly often through the day, while repellent should be used sparingly. A combination product would push you to reapply the repellent every time you reapply the sunscreen, which can lead to more repellent than you need on the skin. For that reason, combined sunscreen-and-repellent products are not recommended (NPIC, source 2).

So: sunscreen first, repellent second, and reapply the sunscreen more often than the repellent, each on its own schedule.

Applying to children

Put the repellent on your own hands first, then spread it on the child. Do not spray it straight onto a child’s face (EPA, source 1; AAP, source 5).

Keep it off the child’s hands, because young children put their hands in their mouths and eyes. Also avoid the eyes and mouth, and go lightly around the ears. Do not put repellent on cuts or irritated skin, and do not let young children apply it themselves (EPA, source 1; AAP, source 5).

For age limits, product choices for babies and toddlers, and more detail on children specifically, see our page on repellents for children and babies (Related, below).

What to avoid

  • Under clothing. Repellent goes on exposed skin, not beneath fabric. Skin covered by clothing can absorb more of the product than intended (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 3).
  • Cuts, wounds, and irritated skin. Never apply repellent over these (EPA, source 1).
  • Eyes and mouth. Keep the product away from them, and apply only sparingly around the ears (EPA, source 1).
  • Too much. Saturating the skin does not improve protection. Use just enough for an even coat (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 2).

After you come inside

Wash the treated skin with soap and water once you are back indoors. This matters because people often leave repellent on the skin for long stretches, which can add up to more exposure than needed, especially with repeated daily use (EPA, source 1; NPIC, source 3).

Wash treated clothing before you wear it again, following the garment and product labels (EPA, source 1).

Sources

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively.” Guidance on applying only to exposed skin, spraying hands before the face, avoiding eyes, mouth, cuts and wounds, applying to your own hands before putting product on a child, keeping it off children’s hands, and washing treated skin and clothing after coming indoors. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively (accessed 20 July 2026).
  2. National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), “Insect Repellents” fact sheet. Source for using just enough to cover exposed skin, applying to the hands then rubbing onto the face, keeping product off children’s hands, applying sunscreen first then repellent, and not using combination sunscreen-plus-repellent products. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html (accessed 20 July 2026).
  3. National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), DEET frequently asked questions, “Can I apply DEET under my clothes?” Source for not applying under clothing and for washing product off the skin after returning indoors to avoid overexposure. https://npic.orst.edu/faq/deet.html (accessed 20 July 2026).
  4. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Preventing Mosquito Bites.” Guidance on using EPA-registered repellents, spraying the hands and then applying to the face, and not applying to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html (accessed 20 July 2026; page returned an access error on direct retrieval, so verified from the published search snippet of the same URL).
  5. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), HealthyChildren.org, “How to Choose an Insect Repellent for Your Child.” Source for never spraying repellent directly on a child’s face, spraying your hands first and rubbing it on, avoiding the eyes and mouth, going sparingly around the ears, keeping it off children’s hands, and supervising older children. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Insect-Repellents.aspx (accessed 20 July 2026).

Related

  • Repellents for children and babies (placeholder)
  • Which mosquito repellent works best (placeholder)
  • How long does mosquito repellent last (placeholder)
  • Preventing mosquito bites: full checklist (placeholder)

Educational note: This page is general reference information, not medical or safety advice for a specific situation. The product label is the legally binding instruction for any repellent, so always read and follow it, and check with a healthcare professional or poison control if you have a specific concern.

Last reviewed 20 July 2026.