Whether you plan to escape the summer heat by sitting by the pool or hiking in the early morning hours, you unfortunately will not be able to escape the wrath of bugs. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) warned that summer 2026 would see a massive surge of mosquitoes and ticks due to unusual winter weather patterns that allowed these pests to thrive.
Everyone has their own method to keep bugs at bay. Some believe in natural remedies made from witch hazel, distilled water, and insect-repelling essential oils like lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and cedarwood. Others rely strictly on EPA-approved repellents such as DEET. However, a new yet unlikely method has resurfaced thanks to TikTok, and moms everywhere are swearing by it: Avon Skin So Soft.
What Is Avon Skin So Soft?
If you are of a certain age, Avon Skin So Soft was a staple in your or your mother's beauty kit. Since 1961, this cult-favorite bath oil has promised 48 hours of soft skin. Infused with jojoba oil, a botanical extract that mimics the skin's natural oils, the moisturizer can be added directly to bathwater or massaged into the skin.
It also apparently does a great job of warding off mosquitoes. All over TikTok, people are marveling at its ability to keep bloodsuckers away. "GenX has known this since the '80s," wrote TikToker Dawn Campbell in a comment, nodding to its medicine-cabinet heritage. "Love this stuff so much, been using it on my kids too," added user Ali Rose. Shoppers agree: "Everyone said this was great for bugs and it is! Use it for my daughter to prevent mosquito bites and it works like magic," wrote a reviewer on Amazon. "She hasn't had any bites since using it before daycare!"
Does It Really Work?
An expert says that while people are not imagining the formulation's mosquito-repelling capabilities, the effectiveness may be limited, especially compared to products intentionally designed to keep insects away. "The original Skin So Soft bath oil was never formulated to be a repellent and doesn't contain any EPA-registered active ingredients," says cosmetic chemist and Stream2Sea founder Autumn Blum. "What it does have is a fragrance built on botanicals like citronellol, geraniol, limonene, and eucalyptus, several of which have documented mosquito-repelling activity."
The ingredient list is not the only thing that makes it unattractive to bugs: "Sitting on a mineral-oil base that briefly masks the body heat and carbon dioxide that mosquitoes use to find us, that's enough to create a real but very short-lived repellency," Blum added. "The catch is concentration and volatility; those aromatic compounds are present at perfume levels and evaporate fast, so the protection often fades quickly. In fact, the New England Journal of Medicine studied Skin So Soft's bath oil and found that it provided real protection, but averaged under ten minutes."
The 2002 study Blum references indicated that while some commercial DEET-free alternatives contain viable concentrations of citronella, the original Avon Skin So Soft bath oil lists it as a fragrance component without disclosing a protective percentage. In short, the oil is enough to temporarily annoy mosquitoes, but it should be paired with a dedicated repellent if you are traveling through areas that carry a high risk of insect-borne diseases.
"So if you need a bug spray and only have Skin So Soft bath oil handy, it will help. But if you're somewhere mosquito bites carry real risk, you want a product formulated for protection, not a moisturizer trying to do double duty," Blum warns.
Avon's Dedicated Bug Repellent
Fortunately, Avon has fully embraced the buzz around their product's historic reputation and has marketed a bug-repellent-specific alternative: Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus. This specialized repellent is formulated with picaridin, a DEET alternative that officially promises to guard against mosquitoes, deer ticks, and "no-see-ums." It retains the classic Skin So Soft signature scent while providing a protective barrier that claims to last up to eight hours.
While we probably would not go frolicking deep in the woods with the standard bath oil, the Bug Guard line seems like the perfect way to keep bugs off you and your guests during a backyard summer barbecue or a sunny day at the beach. Below, we have gathered some helpful feedback from shoppers about both of these Avon products so that you can decide for yourself which will keep you covered this summer.
Shopper Reviews: Skin So Soft
- Courtney Voelschow: "Bought this for the summer since I heard it helps keep mosquitoes away.. which it does. I love the smell reminds me of my childhood."
- Shopper: "Love this. It reminds me of an earlier decade scent, light and softening. It works great for repelling mosquitoes. I'm glad it's still around."
- Jazz: "I bought this because me and my family went on a camping trip and heard it was great for keeping mosquitoes and bugs away and it's true! Normally if we go outside I am the one getting primarily bit but a few sprays of this and they wouldn't even dare to fly near me! The smell is amazing nice and fresh and it feels silky smooth on the skin. I have sensitive skin and this didn't bother me at all. Very light on the skin and not greasy."
Shopper Reviews: Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus
- Rod Middleworth: "This year I have had a terrible time getting bit by Mosquitoes! I remembered that they did not like Skin So Soft. I had no idea it came in a small spray bottle. Since I have just ordered my second bottle I am convinced it helps. I sprayed it on my arms and ankles and they did leave me alone. I would recommend this to anyone."
- Jojo: "Yes, it is a bit pricey - but hands down the best bug spray we've ever used. The scent is amazing (which is rare for bug spray), but more importantly it really works. Mosquito's usually flock to me like I'm their favorite snack, but I have no issues with the nasty critters when I use this. We make sure to keep this stocked all summer, it's a must-have for us."
