Mosquitos are terrible here. I use Deep Woods off with 25% deet and have to cover every inch of me. I've tried more natural repellants like Avon's and they haven't worked, and neither did lower concentrations of deet.

For SPF I like Neutrogena's line of sunscreen that is unscented for the face and I use it all over.

I started using the Off gizmo that has a little fan in it. You put in a card with the repellent on it and the fan spreads it around you. It works well so far. Better than getting greasy with the sprays. Skin So Soft never worked for me.

For Sunscreen, I use the Neutrogena 100 SPF on my face (plus I always wear a hat) I have rosacea and any sun exposure makes it worse. I use the Neutrogena spray 50 SPF on my arms.

When we were inundated with mosquitos after Debby, I got Deep Woods Dry. It's not greasy, but it's very smelly. I really don't like the smell, but I never heard a single buzz around me and didn't get bit. The mosquitos must hate the smell worse than me. Thankfully, the mosquito onslaught ended. It did occur to me that anything with such a potent smell might not be safe, but I guess it must be.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

ah, the famous Skin so Soft. In Scotland, where midges are everywhere, this cream has legendary status - I recall standing in a wee village shop when a huge brawny trucker came in, asking, in gruff highland tone - 'have ye got any skin so soft' - nearly fell on floor.
Nothing much goes for my grizzled and leathery skin though (and have convinced myself that regular nicotine can only help).

Sherry, once I was up in New Hampshire and used Deep Woods Off spray. I had sandals on, so I sprayed my feet. The spray dissolved the nail polish on my toes. That was the last time I used it.

Buford, I had the same experience. We have a solid blue kitchen table. After spraying "OFF", I set the can on the kitchen table. I saw that the Off had gotten on the can, but was in a hurry. It ate the paint off the table in that circle where it was sitting.

I use Cutter, but it is like OFF. I try to spray it on my hat, clothing, gloves, and shoes. I spray as little as possible on my skin.

Sammy

I used to use the Deep Woods Off product as well - it was effective, but I never really liked how it made my skin tingle when I got hot and sweaty. When my daughter went to Kenya, the international travel doctor recommended that she use Sawyer Premium Controlled Release Insect Repellent lotion. After her return, I started using her leftover insect repellent and decided that I liked it much better than the Deep Woods. I have found that you need to be thorough in applying it to your skin though, because when the mosquitoes are really numerous, they will still bite me if I have missed areas of skin. I have never found the Avon Skin So Soft to be effective on the few occasions when I've tried it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sawyer's Controlled Release Technology

My daughter gave me a Slogger's hat. Have to wear long pants, long sleeve's etc...secondary to sun allergy. As long as I wear the hat, I am never bothered by mosquitos...go out without it, and they swarm. the hat is impregnated with some insecticide and is certified as 50 SPF.
kay

kay, I just went on the Sloggers site and am going to get that hat with insect repellent! Thanks for the tip.

Buford, you are very welcome. It is an excellent product, and even with my heavy use (I don't glow, I sweat like a pig) it has held up really well. I never have to worry about mosquitos or no "seeums" when I wear it.
kay

I get bitten within 2 minutes of being outside if I'm not wearing repellent. I wear the regular Off! brand with the 'fresh scent' or whatever it is. It's the least offensive odor/feeling with the best protection for me.

I've used the Deep Woods stuff before, but I feel like my skin is coated in Saran Wrap when I wear it and I swear I feel like I'm overheating.

I was sitting at a softball game a month ago & my friend says, "Oooo, that smells good! What perfume are you wearing?" And I replied, "Off!" so I guess it can't be that bad.

I work at a place surrounded by old rice marshes in the middle of the ACE Basin -- no shortage of mosquitoes here!

When I get to work, I spray Deep Woods Off and Cutters all over my clothes, shoes, socks, hat and exposed skin. Later in the day, I re-spray with the lower-DEET, skin-friendly repellent.

As for sunscreen, I'm partial to Banana Boat Sport Body & Scalp SPF 30. It dries quickly and leaves no sticky, greasy residue on the skin, even when the heat and humidity are high. I reapply later in the day, too. It can be difficult to find in some areas. I buy it at Lowes, but they don't carry it through the winter.

On my skin I use "Pest-Off Natural Deet Free Insect Frustragent" that does say it has sunscreen, but I wear a separate sunscreen too. It's from Hilton Head, SC.

The stuff really works!

I do spray my hat and pants with Deet products if the skeeters are so bad that they bite me through the fabrics, or through my hair, etc.

Mosquitoes devour me immediately if any are close by at all. I could be used as a lure :D I had one follow me through about 6 security doors into work one WINTER day!

Campanula you are so funny! I use the deep woods stuff and gezzy petes you can't breath for a few seconds!

Fortunately, I don't need to use repellent often, but found this to be very effective and DEET FREE:

Avon Skin So Soft BUG GUARD Plus PICARIDIN (it's a spray, the the SSS lotion)

They also make it in "Expedition" Strength, but the smell on that one does take your breath away. For that reason, I use it on my clothes. Would be good around ankles ;-)

For hats, I too, have had problems finding a hat that I can really stick with. Too sweaty and I hate sweaty hat hair - not being a diva, but really, who likes to look like a cat coming in from the rain???

Last year I found a great brand that sells a couple styles at REI. The company is based out of Boulder, Colorado: http://www.wallaroohats.com/ They sell elsewhere and online, but I think REI will be your best price point.

They are a bit pricier than Sloggers, but I've never had a lighter or more comfortable hat. Hardly sweat and no helmet hair. Most of their brims are wide and many are rated SPF 50 (yes, a solid, layered fabric would be so, but that would be heavy). Wore them out at Cliff's when I went to get mother plants in 100+deg weather with no problem.

I have (from REI): the Breton (chocolate) and the Sydney (seafoam). I can't tell you how many compliments I get with them and for ONCE I have a hat that looks good on me, too. Brims can be worn up, down or whatever floats your boat.

Oh, and they are crush proof. Have squashed them both in luggage to a couple millimeters, several times and they pop right back into shape instantly. No folds, no wrinkles. One size fits all, there's an interior drawstring in the headband - I leave it loose. I think they will last a long, long time, especially the Breton which is a braided (poly) ribbon instead of straw.

Ok, as you could tell I got some hat adrenaline going. Checked the REI website and they are on clearance sale 40-50%off. Colors, however, are *limited*. (Shipping to your local REI is free.) We are lucky to have a store around the corner from us, I'll have to check it out, too ;-)

Wow, I love those hats, will definitely order one! I, too, hate the "sweaty" head from wearing a hat in our climate.