School is out for the next two months, and the big kids have started their little half day camps, leaving the remainder of our days to be spent outdoors. With playground romps, picnics in our backyard, bonfires at the beach, and barbecues with friends and family, we pretty much enjoy the last bit of sun each day, and the warm temperatures during our long summer nights together. In Battery Park City, the “suburbs of Manhattan” there are plenty of trees, grassy fields, and beautiful flowers lining our waterfront, and sometimes, its easy to forget that we actually live in New York City.
With all of the plush greenery, we tend to have our fair share of mosquitos, and just the other day, a fun outdoor movie on our lawn was filled with kids scratching and screaming about the bugs. The next morning, the kids woke up with so many bug bites on their legs, that they were scratching for an entire week. Each year the bug situation tends to worsen, which sometimes, puts a damper on our summertime pleasure.
As soon as we walked in the door from the movie, I started searching for bug repellents that were not only effective, but safe for the kids, and I stumbled upon Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard. Growing up, I only remember one type of bug spray, so I was surprised to see that Avon offered three different types of protection: a spray for camping, a spray for families with added SPF, and another spray for those outdoor nights. All of Skin So Soft Bug Repellents are DEET-free, which was my biggest concern when considering the use of some sort of protection. It was very reassuring to see that this harmful chemical was not part of their formula, and that all their sprays are dermatologist tested, hypo-allergenic, and PABA-free.
For our daytime outings, I use Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 28 Aerosol Spray. The SPF 28 spray is effective against mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, and other pests. The waterproof formula is non-greasy, with moisturizing vitamin E.
For evening hours there is Skin So Soft’s Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Insect Repellent. It offers long-lasting protection against mosquitoes, same as the Bug Guard Plus IR3535, but it lasts for up to 6-7 hours. The Picaridin is an effective alternative ingredient to DEET, and the spray has little odor, with a light, clean feel. This is great for families to enjoy outdoor activities like walks, runs, and evening barbecues, especially at dusk or dawn, when sunscreen protection is not needed.
The Skin So Soft has made our last few outdoor rendezvous’ much more pleasant, and I am certain that we will be protected for the camping trip we have panned in a few weeks. I am looking forward to campfires, making smores, and enjoying our environment, while assured that the kids will be comfortable during our time in the great outdoors.
5 thoughts on “Great Outdoors, Protected”
we be a DEET ON BANDANA FAMILY.
I think it’s time for SKIN SO SOFT 🙂
Thanks for this info. We always take bug spray with us to the beach and I’d love to use one that’s safer for the kids!
Very cool! While in Mexico I was so worried about the bugs and with all the deet regulations for kids always looking for great new products.
We love Skin So Soft! My mom worked for Avon for many, many years so I know all the benefits. 🙂
I am always on the hunt for good bug spray. Those bugger find me no matter how many layers I have on. Might need to give this another go.