The Rising Need for Smarter Insect Protection
Insect-borne diseases continue to shape how we think about outdoor safety, making effective repellents a daily necessity in many parts of the world. From dengue and chikungunya to Zika virus and beyond, mosquitoes and biting insects are more than just a nuisance – they are vectors for diseases. As a first line of defense against biting insects, topical repellents that can effectively, and safely, prevent insect-borne illnesses are growing in demand, and IR3535® is the premium insect repellent option.
A relatively new active ingredient in the world of insect repellent products is the compound IR3535®, scientifically known as ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate. This synthetic compound was developed by MERCK as an alternative to DEET, and has over 30+ years of use in insect repellents. The structure of IR3535® is similar to β-alanine (a naturally occurring amino acid), and is therefore a synthetic compound inspired by nature, developed to mimic natural biological processes. IR3535® is recognized as safe for children and pregnant women, and was even recommended for use among vulnerable populations by health authorities in Europe during mosquito-borne illness outbreaks3. Likewise, IR3535® is considered environmentally friendly and biologically low-risk in normal use. IR3535® is a well-stablished, gentle, and effective repellent option. Understanding what IR3535® is then leads naturally to the question: how does it actually work – and is it effective against biting insects?
How IR3535® Works
Insect repellents have 3 main modes of action, or ways they repel biting insects. They can:
- Cause biting insects to avoid feeding through chemicals they find repulsive
- Change biting insect behavior through a sense of taste mechanism via altering their sense of taste receptor neurons (gustatory receptor neurons)
- Affect biting insect sense of smell mechanism altering their sense of smell receptor proteins located in their sense of smell receptor neurons (olfactory receptor neurons)
While the precise and exact mechanisms of how active ingredients in insect repellents modify specific molecular targets in biting insects, IR3535® is observed to work the third way of repelling insects, through their sense of smell. The IR3535® compound is believed to bind to or block specific receptors on an insect’s antennae that would normally detect human odors. When blocked or confused by IR3535®, biting insects have difficulty locating and landing on their potential human hosts.1
In contrast to other active ingredients that show an insecticidal effect, meaning they may kill the insects after contact, IR3535® merely provides a message to biting insects to stay away. Working through sensory disruption rather than toxicity is why IR3535® is considered safe for human use and been approved by regulatory agencies worldwide.2
IR3535® is considered a highly effective, EPA-registered insect repellent that offers excellent, long-lasting protection against multiple types of mosquitoes, biting midges or no-see-ums, fleas, sand flies, chiggers, and ticks. Most studies give IR3535® a protection time of around 2 to 8 hours based on concentration levels. Compared to other active ingredients such as DEET or Picaridin, the compound IR3535® is preferred for its strong safety profile, as well as its wearability, as it is nearly odorless and non-irritating to the skin. While IR3535® has proven itself as a safe and effective repellent on its own, modern protection demands more than just an active ingredient – it requires smarter delivery and longer-lasting performance.4
IMPEDE: Enhancing IR3535® Protection with STAYTEC™ Technology
The limitation of standard insect repellents can be affected by sweat and moisture breakdown, evaporation, and uneven skin coverage. IMPEDE is designed different. Combining the proven active ingredient of IR3535® with the enhance performance system of STAYTEC™ technology, IMPEDE provides the best protection from biting insects. The patented technology of STAYTEC™ in the IMPEDE formula helps the active ingredient adhere to the skin surface and reducing its evaporation. The result is an optimized performance window of IR3535®, providing up to 14 hours of protection when paired with STAYTEC™. Additionally, the lotion format of IMPEDE means this repellent is sweat- and water-resistant, making it the ideal choice for beach days, hours on the boat, or any outdoor excursion.
IMPEDE bridges the gap between lab effectiveness and real-life protection by maintaining IR3535®’s strong safety profile, and enhancing the durability and reliability of the active ingredient. With IR3535® providing a foundation of proven protection and STAYTEC™ enhancing its performance in real-world conditions, IMPEDE represents a modern approach to everyday insect defense – balancing safety, effectiveness, and durability in a single formulation.