10 Best Insect Repellents UK 2024 | Jungle Formula, Xpel and More

As a number 1 bestseller on Amazon, Smidge has huge support for its product. The repellent itself is non-sticky, waterproof and known not to smell unpleasant at all due to its use of Picardin instead of DEET, a similarly effective chemical that's known to have a minimal odour in comparison. 

The 20% concentration is strong enough to keep away an array of nasties, as well as lasting for a credible 8 hours. And to top it off, it's carry-on-friendly and safe for use by the whole family, including children over 30 months.

This plant-based product protects against a wide variety of little pests including mosquitoes, ticks and midges. It's completely family-friendly and suitable for even pregnant women and young babies.

Mosi-Guard also has sound sustainable ethics, including a commitment to certain planting and harvesting criteria and employing the majority of their staff from local communities. If you're making a conscious decision to support UK-based companies that produce quality goods, this is the one to go for.

Created with tropical destinations in mind, this maximum-strength repellent from Boots' own-brand range should see you safe wherever you decide to travel to – it has an insect repellent factor of 4, the highest possible rating.  

Plus, the lotion comes in a respectable 100 ml bottle at around the same price as other products, making it both travel-friendly and good value for money. 

This carefully formulated repellent from Xpel was constructed using IR3535, which is a naturally-occurring amino acid that bats away bugs but doesn't cause them any harm when doing so. Plus, with it being DEET-free, it's suitable for all the family. 

The wipes come in packs of 25, which should last one adult around eight days when used daily. This multi-buy of 6 packets, then, will enable you to cover a large family for a week's holiday for less.

This repellent from Lifesystems is made with explorers in mind. It has a super-high 95% DEET concentration which should see you well-protected even in the highest-risk areas. Plus, each application will last you 10 hours before you need to reapply, making it perfect for those sleeping in the wild. 

Surprisingly, the company claims that this is suitable for both adults and children over the age of 6 years old. While this might be overkill for most holiday destinations in Europe, if you're really fed up with aggravating bites, you'd be hard-pressed to find a product more reliable than this. 

This natural-based repellent uses lemon eucalyptus oil to ward off vexing bugs, including mosquitos that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses.

This spray works for up to 6 hours at a time and has many excellent reports on its effectiveness and the fact that it doesn't stain clothing. Just be aware that it will need to be reapplied if heavy sweating arises. In addition, due to its 118 ml volume, this will unfortunately not be able to be taken in your hand luggage. 

This clinically tested roll-on from Incognito uses the same formula as their fan-favourite spray. The active ingredient of lemon eucalyptus is recommended by many leading health organisations, including NHS Scotland. Also, because of its use of friendlier ingredients, this can be used on children as young as three months. 

Moreover, if you're conscious of how your products will affect the environment, this product should have no impact on the natural life or ecosystems you come into contact with. Some users have found that the packaging is somewhat prone to leakage, so store it with care. 

This 50% DEET-infused product has a repellent factor of 4, the highest on the scale, and it can last up to 9 hours with just a single spray. Plus, even though it is an aerosol, it claims to be completely ozone-friendly. 

Due to the strength, this would be a good choice if you're travelling to areas with a risk of malaria, dengue or other infectious diseases. If you're travelling as a family, bear in mind that it's not suitable for children under 12 due to its strength. 

This family-friendly option is suitable for use on little ones from just 6 months old. THEYE have produced a product that is great for humans, just not so much for those pesky biters! It has a pleasing citrusy smell and protects against an array of different bugs.  

However, some users have mentioned that the consistency is more like a lotion than a spray, which can make it slightly more difficult to apply. 

This completely natural repellent from Shealife is safe and suitable for both adults and children. It contains citronella as the active ingredient but also infuses neem and lavender to leave you smelling sweet.

The downside is that the balm could quite easily melt – particularly in hot temperatures – which would make it a bit messier to apply. Also, the brand doesn't stipulate what percentage of citronella is used, leaving some questioning how effective it really is.