The Right Way to Apply Bug Spray
Keep mosquitoes, biting flies and other pests at arm's length.
By Elyse Moody
Photo: iStock/keport
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Apply Correctly
Order matters: Put on sunscreen first, let it dry for up to 30 minutes then spray insect repellent. You can apply DEET and picaridin products to your clothes (but don't put DEET on rayon or spandex—it'll damage the fabric) to prevent mosquitoes from biting through them. (Don't use any under your clothing; your skin should be able to breathe.) As with SPF, you may need to reapply more frequently if you're going to be in water or getting sweaty. And don't forget your feet! Mosquitoes often fly low to the ground and go for the ankles.
From the
July 2016 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
