It’s hot. It’s humid. The bugs are out. Such is the reality behind your favorite summertime film that is your life, where golden tans and balmy nights come with uninvited guests: insects. Naturally, you reach out to slather on sunscreen and repellent, thinking you’re two steps ahead. The catch? That’s a chemical cocktail you don’t want on your skin. Here’s why this so-called protection plan might backfire on you.
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Why You Should Ditch the Combo
In the thick of summer, sunscreen and insect repellent seem like the perfect duo. But a new French study shows that this double-duty habit may be quietly undoing the very protection your sunscreen gives.
Scientists treated human skin samples with both products and exposed them to sunlight and UVB rays. What they found was striking: sunscreen worked fine on its own, but when repellent was added, the sun protection dropped drastically, as the protective layer formed by the sunscreen was effectively thinned by the properties of insect repellent.
Numbers-wise, a 1997 study found that DEET, a common insect repellent ingredient, reduced SPF by 34 percent. However, in some cases in the 2025 study, it was as if no sunscreen had been applied at all.
With the sun at its hottest, this is probably your skin’s worst nightmare.
What To Do Instead
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises against using two-in-one products with both SPF and repellent. Why? Sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often than insect repellent, and overdoing the repellent can be harmful due to its toxicity. So, it’s best to avoid the combination altogether.
The better way? Apply your sunscreen (SPF 15 and above) first, then wait at least 20 minutes before layering on the repellent. It’s like the same rule you follow before applying moisturizer and makeup after sunscreen. A little patience goes a long way.
Featured Image and Photos: MEGA ARCHIVES
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