Which mosquito repellents can be used to protect children?

What measures are available to keep mosquitoes away? 

The priority should be to identify and remove mosquito breeding sources, namely their egg-laying sites. In practical terms, this means removing any stagnant water, for example, in the saucers of potted plants, covering water tanks and ensuring that gutters are unblocked.

To prevent children from being bitten, the first thing to do is to ensure that they wear clothing that covers the body. This helps to minimise the areas of skin exposed to the insects. Mosquito nets, particularly when used during naps and at night, also provide effective protection, even when they have not been treated with insecticide.

In situations where these measures are insufficient (such as when walking in areas particularly infested by mosquitoes) or difficult to implement (wearing long clothing in very hot weather), it may be necessary to apply mosquito repellent to children’s skin. 

What is the difference between an insecticide and a repellent?

Insecticidesare designed to kill insects found in the environment. Mosquito insecticides are available in the form of aerosols, electric diffusers or impregnated mosquito nets (which are mainly used during outbreaks of diseases transmitted by these insects).

Repellents, on the other hand, do not kill insects but keep them away. Mosquito repellents can be applied to skin or clothing, or sprayed into the air. They come in various forms: sprays, lotions and roll-ons for the skin, sprays for clothing, wrist-bands, candles, coils for burning and even repellent devices for attaching to pushchairs.

From what age can a skin repellent be used?

Skin repellents contain active ingredients. These ensure effectiveness but may also be toxic if the instructions are not followed. Their use must therefore beconsidered carefully and limited to situations where physical protective measures, such as wearing long clothing, are not sufficient.

Not all skin repellents are suitable for children. Some are not permitted for children under 2 years of age, while others are reserved for older children or adults. If a skin repellent can be used for children, this is stated on the label, along with the conditions for use: the relevant age group, the dose to be applied, the maximum number of applications per day and the duration of protection.

It is essential to strictly follow these instructions and choose a skin repellent suitable for the child’s age and the setting in which it will be used: for example, "temperate zone" for Europe or "tropical zone" for the French overseas territories or when travel is planned to certain other parts of the world. 

What is the difference between a skin repellent suitable for children and one for adults?

The difference lies mainly in the concentration of the active ingredient in the product and/or the amount of product to be applied to the skin.

For a product to be authorised for children, its use must have been specifically assessed in terms of risks and effectiveness for children, as part of its marketing authorisation (MA) application.

The specific target group for the product is clearly stated on the label.

Which skin repellents are best for children?

For applying to the skin to repel mosquitoes, products containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin can be considered effective and safe, provided that they have an MA and are used in accordance with the instructions on the label. 

Products with an MA and on sale in France have been assessed by ANSES. They can be identified by the MA number on the product label: for example, FR-2026-0150 means that the MA was granted in 2026 and that it was the 150th authorisation in that year issued by ANSES. 

To avoid any doubt or to obtain advice from a healthcare professional, insect repellents should preferably be purchased from pharmacies and drugstores. Buying these products online is not recommended.

Which products should be avoided for children?

Repellents and insecticides are biocidal products governed by European Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. 

Because of the phased implementation of this regulation in Europe, not all products currently on the French market have yet been fully assessed by ANSES. Regarding repellents, this is particularly true of products based on essential oils, which are sold, for example, in the form of mosquito-repellent wrist-bands or devices designed to be attached to pushchairs. As the effectiveness and safety of these products cannot currently be guaranteed, their use for children is strongly discouraged. 

ANSES also advises against the use of certain non-biocidal products, such as ultrasonic devices or sticky fly paper without insecticide, as their effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. 

Using an ineffective product does not protect children from bites, and in certain geographical areas potentially exposes them to mosquito-borne viruses.

What is the correct way to apply insect repellent to a child’s skin?

• For children under 12 years of age, the repellent must always be applied by an adult. The instructions on the label must be followed carefully, particularly regarding the amount of product and the maximum number of applications per day.
• The product must never be applied to irritated, broken or damaged skin, or near the eyes or mouth.
• The product must not be applied to a young child’s hands, as they may then touch their face or mouth. With products in spray form, do not spray them directly onto the skin as this generates aerosols that may be inhaled or come into contact with the eyes. The product must first be applied to the adult’s hands before being spread over the parts of the child’s body needing protection.
• If using sunscreen at the same time, apply the sunscreen first and then wait at least 20 minutes before applying the insect repellent.
• After swimming, the product should be reapplied if repellent protection is still needed, without however exceeding the maximum number of applications permitted per day.

Are mosquito repellents containing essential oils safer?

Essential oils are sometimes used in the insect repellents currently on the market. One example is lavandin oil. However, the effectiveness and safety of essential oil-based repellents intended both for children and adults cannot be guaranteed, as ANSES has not yet assessed these products in accordance with the Biocidal Products Regulation (see above).

Certain essential oils may cause skin irritation, allergic reactions or toxic effects on the nervous system or liver, due to their properties. Some are also incompatible with exposure to the sun and can cause major burns.