If you want to use the proper "essential oils", you should be careful which ones you apply undiluted directly to your skin. Otherwise they should be put in a carrier oil, grapeseed or something like that, at the rate of about 50 ml to 5 drops (can't remember the exact ratio) or about 5 or 6 drops to 100 ml mixture of 2/3 witchazel to 1/3 rose water, although I can't help feeling this might negate the beneficial effects of the citronella oil (sorry, that sounds a bit posh ).
Just to give my vote to the smell of the Avon stuff, though, I really like it.
Avon 'Skin So Soft' range of products have received good press from walkers and field workers in both the States and the UK. First reports in both countries have said that they are highly effective at keeping the insect population from biting the wearer. The University of Arizona has discovered four compounds in Avon skin care and beauty range that repel mosquitoes, the strongest one being coumarone, which is found in many flowering plants. Avon brought out a dedicated insect repellent based on their skin care products called 'Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Insect Repellent'. Recently however, mixed messages have been coming from tests of Avon products, such as a report in 'The New England Journal of Medicine' that said it was only effective as a repellent for about 23 minutes ( against mosquitoes ). Avon refutes the claim because the reported tests were not done in the field. The study was a controlled test using hungry Lab reared mosquitoes. Volunteers inserted their arm into the mosquito’s cage and the time till the first bite was measured. If you would like to see the rating for all 15 products tested in that study | View the ratings here |. The British Army has been conducting field trials on Avon's repellent effectiveness against midges - no results published as yet and I've received no replies from the Ministry of Defence to my emails requesting the results. Many walkers think highly of Avon's products but there are just as many, if not more, who claim it is ineffective as a repellent. The negative view seems to be gaining strength and there certainly seem to be more negative views posted on the net than positive ones.
Read my post on Catnip...
------------- DELTA..
aka Paul
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: AVON, S.S.S dry oil Spray
). 
