Why Sweat Reduces the Effectiveness of Some Insect Repellents
Outdoor Caribbean adventures often include sunshine, warm temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of perspiration. But does sweating actually wash off your insect repellent? Sweating, and other similar factors, affect insect repellents in several ways. First, perspiration gradually wears away the layer of repellent on the skin; as sweat pools it dulls the repellent, allowing some of it to evaporate or slide off, exposing you to bites. Warm temperatures also increase evaporation, reducing the amount of active ingredient that remains available on the skin’s surface. Friction from clothing removes the repellent from your skin. Wiping away sweat or moisture with a towel likewise removes your repellent. And similarly to sweat, swimming and rain wash the repellent off your skin. While sweat doesn’t instantly make an insect repellent ineffective, sweat will gradually reduce your protection over time.1
Fortunately, not all insect repellents respond to heat and sweat in the same way. While perspiration gradually wears away any repellent over time, the formulation of the repellent plays a key role in determining how long protection lasts.
Why Repellent Formulation Matters – The advanced technology of STAYTEC™
Think of an insect repellent as a protective layer on your skin. The longer that layer remains intact, the longer the active ingredient can continue repelling biting insects. A well-designed repellent formulation helps maintain that protective layer despite heat, perspiration, and normal outdoor activity.
Many consumers only consider the active ingredient when choosing an insect repellent. In reality, a repellent’s performance depends on several factors: active ingredient, formulation, evaporation rate, and how well the product remains on the skin. The patented, controlled-release technology of STAYTEC™ is a powerful addition that enhances an insect repellent’s performance. Instead of releasing all of a repellent’s active ingredient immediately upon application, STAYTEC™ slows evaporation and keeps the active ingredient on the skin surface longer. STAYTEC™ also reduces absorption of the active ingredient into the skin. Controlled-release encapsulation technology of STAYTEC™ help fight the problem of sweat interfering with a repellent’s performance by ensuring the repellent’s active ingredient stays on the skin’s surface for long-lasting protection.
Another aspect of repellent formulation that consumers should consider is whether the insect repellent is aerosol or lotion-based. Spray insect repellents may seem convenient, but lotion-based formulas often provide more reliable and consistent protection, especially in sweat-inducing environments. Lotion-based formulations are designed to provide more even coverage across the skin and can be formulated to better support long-lasting performance in hot, humid environments. Likewise, lotion-based repellents may also reduce the need for frequent reapplication compared with products that wear away more quickly. Ideal for tropical climates, prolonged outdoor activities, and humid environments, lotion insect repellents can provide dependable performance and greater confidence during long days outdoors.
Understanding how insect repellent formulation affects performance helps consumers choose the best product for the environments they find themselves in. For conditions of high heat, high humidity, and high perspiration, choosing a repellent that combines STAYTEC™ with a lotion-based formula can help provide consumers with dependable, long-lasting insect protection.
IMPEDE: Designed for the Caribbean in mind
The Caribbean lifestyle includes days spent at the beach, kayaking, hiking, boating, sightseeing, dining outdoors – all in warm, humid conditions that could induce sweating. Travelers and residents in the Caribbean need an insect repellent designed for long-lasting performance in these tropical conditions. IMPEDE is a premium insect repellent that is specifically formulated for the Caribbean. Combining the controlled-release technology of STAYTEC™ and a lightweight, lotion-based formula, IMPEDE provides up to 14 hours of insect protection. IMPEDE is both sweat- and water-resistant, making it ideal for the hot, humid climate of the Caribbean.
IMPEDE combines effective protection with advanced formulation technology to help keep you protected – even when the weather is working against you. Whether you’re exploring rainforests, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying an evening by the water, dependable protection with IMPEDE helps ensure your memories are defined by the adventure, not the mosquito bites.