I Tried Using the Cult Avon Body Oil as Bug Spray – I Didn’t Get Bitten All Trip

Not for the first time, I’m sitting here with two left knees. The biologically recognised left knee, and the one slightly above and to the side which is a similar size, but actually a giant, inflamed mosquito bite. Because not only am I the person at most tables that the bugs seem to find delicious (flattered, I am not) but happily I’m also that person who finds they go red, hot and swell to the size of a cricket ball the next day. Sadly, I am also a person who absolutely loves sitting outside having a nice lil drink and dinner as the temperature cools, the sun goes down – and the mosquitoes come out to play. Ohhhh and I can’t take antihistamines (well I can, but they send me loopy and I have to go to bed). It’s a curse of a Venn diagram to live in.

Luckily, my fortnightly holiday to France this year was rescued by PS UK’s associate editor, beauty, Lauren Ezekiel, who let me in on a beauty secret: Avon’s Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£6). Because those in the know, know that actually the lovely (and reasonable) Avon Skin So Soft moisturising spray is also brilliant at repelling mosquitos and bugs. In fact, its properties as a bug spray are rumoured to be so good, that it’s bought in bulk by the SAS. It’s important to say no-one has ever confirmed this (but, they’re the SAS, they’re not big on confirming things) but that also Avon themselves don’t market or sell the spray as a mosquito repellent, for various reasons.

The internet is awash with two questions – does the Avon Skin So Soft spray actually work as a mosquito repellent? And do the SAS use it? Well, I’m can only answer the former and it’s a big, fat yes from me.

Because for the whole of my summer holiday I spent many dusky evenings outside eating (after finally getting two overtired kids to sleep) and made it out of France without a single bite after applying the Skin So Soft spray all over. And two days later, back at home, I spent the evening in my garden and (in the same way you sometimes forget to pack the SPF on warm days at home in a way you’d never do on holiday) I neglected to use the spray. And now I’m sat here with my aforementioned two knees, a bite so sore I can’t wear my watch, and one on my thumb that is driving me to distraction. So I’d say I’ve provided an alternative test too.

Read on for the full breakdown of using Avon’s Skin So Soft for both its skincare and mosquito-repelling properties.

About Avon’s Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray

What I Like About Avon’s Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray

Well, I like that I didn’t get bitten and covered in bites. For me, the spray worked well as a mosquito repellent. Bites can seem like a bit of a minor inconvenience if you’re not susceptible to them, but if you suffer from them, you know how annoying they can be. They can be unsightly, painful, stop you from sleeping or drive you to distraction with itching – and they can get infected and pretty nasty too.

If you worry about chemicals and having bug sprays that contain too many, this could be the one for you. I personally am not one of those people and tend to go as strong as I can usually, but even for me, the smell of a deet product can be pretty grim and it can feel a bit much spraying it in a closed room. The Avon Skin So Soft was nothing like this. In fact, the scent was absolutely lovely. It is quite strongly scented, so if it’s not your personal taste, that could be an issue. But I really liked it, and it will also now for me also be a memorable holiday scent (another top tip from our beauty editor).

It’s important to mention that Avon Skin So Soft (as the title suggests) is primarily a moisturising product and while I’ve not said much on that so far, I really did enjoy it for that purpose too. The spray is so so light. I cannot emphasise enough how non-sticky or greasy this product is. It’s actually a bit magic. I sprayed the oil on, lightly rubbed and took the picture above straight away to show the lack of oilyness. I hate putting moisturiser on after a holiday shower, I get all hot, sticky and sweaty and just feel a bit grim. This spray disappeared instantly into the skin, it was more like wearing a body spray it went away that quickly. But the skin was left moisturised, my legs (in the sea and scratched up building sandcastles most days) have come home smoother than usual for sure. I’m someone who suffers from dry, dusty shins, but I’ve had none of that this summer. I genuinely will use it through the winter as a moisturiser too.

Again, I’d say it’s a great price point too – I’ve more than half a bottle left after a fortnight’s holiday.

How to Use the Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray

You just spray it on… Not to be facetious, but that honestly is it. When I was grabbing the product to spray round my feet and ankles more as a mosquito repellent before dinner in the garden, I did just spray and didn’t even really rub it in. I also used a touch of the product on my face too (if you’ve ever had a bite on your eye area or forehead… you’ll know) and so did put it on my hands to rub there, rather than spraying.

What to Consider Before Trying the Avon’s Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray

In terms of being a mosquito repellent, it’s important to say it’s scientifically unproven and not a claim Avon makes. If it’s a really bad situation for you if you get bitten, then you might want to go a more clinically trialled way. My sister-in-law had more mixed results with the spray than I did. And I only spent a few hours outside in the evenings – if you were doing longer or facing bugs throughout the day, I think you’d need to reapply.

I really liked the scent, but it did linger – a plus in my book, but might not be for you.

And finally, if you’re a real thick moisturising Nivea or cocoa butter girl, this isn’t the moisturiser that’s going to give you that buttery skin, it’s much lighter. Again, this was a pro for me, but know some people prefer that look and feel.

Where is Avon’s Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray available?

The Avon’s Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£6), you can also purchase it at Superdrug and on Amazon.

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Rhiannon Evans is the interim content director at PS UK. Rhiannon has been a journalist for 17 years, starting at local newspapers before moving to work for Heat magazine and Grazia. As a senior editor at Grazia, she helped launch parenting brand The Juggle, worked across brand partnerships, and launched the “Grazia Life Advice” podcast. An NCE-qualified journalist (yes, with a 120-words-per-minute shorthand), she has written for The Guardian, Vice and Refinery29.