By nature alcohol causes the pores of your skin to open. Thus with an alcohol based repellent, more repellent gets absorbed into your body. The EPA proves this causes NO adverse affects to your body, but there is that much less repellent to work against the bugs.

Alcohol evaporates at a faster rate than water. When the alcohol evaporates, DEET goes along for the ride. Therefore with an alcohol based repellent, you get a great repellent initially, but it will not last as long as a water based.

DAK Pharmaceuticals has made major advancements in its GreenHead brand tick and insect repellents. Water is replacing alcohol in the new GreenHead 30. Because water does not evaporate as quickly as alcohol, dermal absorption will be reduced. The need to frequently reapply the repellent will also be reduced. Thus, GreenHead 30 will be an appropriate choice for protecting children as well as adults.

Alcohol creates a strong aroma providing the traditional "insect repellent" smell. The water-based formula isn't as strong and much more pleasant.

BENEFITS:

• WATER ALLOWS LESS ABSORPTION OF DEET
• LESS ABSORPTION MEANS HIGHER EFFICACY - WATER BASED FORMULAS LAST LONGER
• WATER-BASED DEET FORMULAS ARE MUCH LESS FLAMMABLE THAN ALCOHOL BASED FORMULAS
• WATER-BASED PRODUCTS ARE SAFER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT; THEY CONTAIN NO VOC'S (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS)
• MIXING AGENT ESTER ETHYL IS A LACTIC ACID PRODUCED BY FERMENTATION OF SUGAR; AIDS IN LOWER RATE OF ABSORPTION