Why IR3535® is the Best Active Ingredient Choice
Parents often face a difficult balance: protecting their children from mosquito bites while ensuring the products they use are safe for developing bodies. Today mosquitoes and other biting insects pose a real health risk with the potential of transmitting illnesses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other vector-borne diseases. Preventing bites is often the first line of defense. But not every insect repellent is made with the same ingredients, or are even safe for use with the most vulnerable populations such as young children.
The active ingredient IR3535® was specifically designed with family use and children’s safety in mind. Developed my Merck in 1975, IR3535® has a long history of use internationally and is considered safe for use in children beginning at 6 months of age. Research into the efficacy of this active ingredient highlights lower toxicity and a reduced irritation potential compared with DEET, one of the most popular active ingredients found in repellents worldwide. DEET is a fully synthetic chemical originally developed from pesticide research, and it can be absorbed through the skin, particularly at higher concentrations. Some DEET users have experienced skin, eye, or mucous membrane irritation. This has encouraged interest in recent years in alternative active ingredients with stronger safety profiles.1
IR3535® was designed based on natural sources. Similar in structure to the amino acid B-alanine (a component of Vitamin B5) IR3535® inhibits an insect’s sense of smell and taste. Studies have shown that after application of products using IR3535® as their active ingredient, only very small amounts of this compound enters the bloodstream. Any absorbed material is then rapidly metabolized and excreted from the body. The way the body interacts with this active ingredient contributes to its favorable safety reputation. Parents concerned about systemic exposure to active ingredients should be reassured that exposure to IR3535® in their children poses little risk for long term side effects.2
Recommendations and CDC Guidance
While research into the safety of all repellent active ingredients is ongoing, researchers emphasize that parents should following age-specific repellent recommendations for any product they use. Specifically in regions endemic to insect-borne illnesses, topical repellents are considered an important preventive measure for almost all ages. According to recommendations, IR3535® can be used once daily in infants older than 6 months. And under exceptional circumstances and with appropriate guidance, use of IR3535® on nursing infants as young as 2 months may be acceptable.3
While the research supporting IR3535® safety is encouraging, proper application remains an important part of safe and effective insect protection for children. On the CDC’s website, they have a short practical guidance section for parents when using insect repellents with their children. They emphasize how children should not apply repellent on themselves. Adults should apply repellent to their own hands first, then spread it evenly on the child’s exposed skin, avoiding the children’s hands, eyes, and mouth. After returning indoors, the CDC recommends washing the child’s treated skin and clothing with soap and water or give the child a thorough bath. Decades of international use and ongoing research continue to support IR3535® as one of the most established and well-tolerated insect repellent active ingredients available for children. 4
When it comes to protecting a child from biting insects, parents need both safety and effectiveness, which is why products formulated with IR3535® continue to gain attention from parents looking for the best insect repellent for their family’s needs.
Why IMPEDE Is The Best Family-Friendly Choice for Infant and Child Protection
The insect repellent IMPEDE combines the established safety profile of IR3535® with a formulation specifically designed for family use. Using IR3535® as its active ingredient, IMPEDE is specifically attractive for parents seeking an alternative to harsher chemical profiles, like DEET. The IMPEDE formula offers other advantages – it is hypoallergenic, dye-free, an easy applicable lotion format, sweat- and water- resistant, and suitable for sensitive skin. In addition to IR3535® in its formula, IMPEDE uses STAYTEC™ technology, a controlled-release system that helps keep the active ingredient on the skin surface longer. STAYTEC™ minimizes evaporation and skin absorption, while providing up to 14 hours of protection. The resulting need for fewer applications helps simplify protection routines for parents, and gives them peace of mind that they are using far less amounts of active ingredients on their children’s skins, all while protecting them from biting insects.
IMPEDE is designed for families seeking protection across multiple age groups. It is suitable for children as young as 2 months of age. The baby-safe insect repellent, IMPEDE, is also designed for frequent use during travel, outdoor activities, and daily life in mosquito-prone environments. When mosquito protection is needed, choosing a repellent supported by both scientific research and practical safety considerations can help families enjoy the outdoors with greater confidence. IMPEDE is the best choice for family and infant protection.