Midge - Skin So Soft

Boddie · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 07:41 PM

I have just spent the weekend up in Scotland, camping to watch the Northern Lights. As usual the area was full of midges but I tried Skin So Soft by Avon and suffered...

Zero bites.

I cant recommend this stuff highly enough. If anyone is going to get bitten its me, and I react very badly indeed, but I have not suffered at all this weekend.

It comes in a pump dispenser, so is easy to apply and I put it on liberally. It is fairly oily so its just as well to have some wipes for your hands afterwards but it really has done the trick.

I found it cheapest on an auction site

Dorts · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

I have just spent the weekend up in Scotland, camping to watch the Northern Lights. As usual the area was full of midges but I tried Skin So Soft by Avon and suffered...

Zero bites.

I cant recommend this stuff highly enough. If anyone is going to get bitten its me, and I react very badly indeed, but I have not suffered at all this weekend.

It comes in a pump dispenser, so is easy to apply and I put it on liberally. It is fairly oily so its just as well to have some wipes for your hands afterwards but it really has done the trick.

I found it cheapest on an auction site

We have a friend who is an Avon Rep. so we get it by the carton, as the midges here are horrendous (and we use it on the horses). Yes, it certainly does work, though that sweet (sickly) smell will get to you eventually. But until something cheaper or more effective becomes available, we will continue to use it.
Dorts.

Highland Damsel · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 09:39 PM

Yeah Skin So Soft is found in my car, home office so that i'm never without it. It works but a tip - put it on twice in the first half hour and it works for about three hours. Only drawback is that it will get in your eyes, esp if it's warm so contact lense wearers beware. The other option, other than nets is Jungle Formula I have never tried it and don't want to apparently it would melt plastic.

As for the smell of sss well we called it puff juice when I was a gardener (no offense intended to anyone) and it is so ditinctive if I ever go overseas and I smell it it takes me right back to the Rhododendron Dell at Attadale gardens planting ferns in the rain! Think it might help for ticks too.

JeffH · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 09:40 PM

I've used it on visits to Scotland for the last 2 years. Like you Andrew I'm prone to insect bites but haven't had a single midge bite whilst using Skin So Soft.

It's said that its effectiveness as an insect repellant was discovered by a soldier in the SAS and that it's now widely used by the military - I'd love to know how that SAS guy explained his use of an Avon moisturiser to his mates

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

foxy mars · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 10:32 AM

I have Skin-so-Soft, also Repel 100 and Citronella.

I've not used Skin-so-Soft as yet, but hoping to try it out. Repel 100 is pretty powerful stuff, but needs to be careful where synthetic fabrics are around, such as my Laser Comp tent.

I was recommended Citronella by a health shop owner, mind, Citronella does smell nicer.

Deb London · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 10:36 AM

Noooo - citronella smells foul.

I got some spray in my mouth by accident a few weeks back. Not a pleasant experience. I would have been more forgiving, but it didn't do a thing. Could have sworn the flies were actually attracted to it.

NicolaB · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 03:32 PM

I used it in Kenya 4 years ago as well when I did a safari holiday in the Masai Mara, and it worked on the mossies there too!!

Can't fault it for the price (even if it does smell a bit like toilet cleaner), and doesn't contain anything too nasty either.

I still haven't found anything that works on horseflies though, they see everything as garnish unfortunately!!

Tringa · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 05:57 PM

So glad that others know about this great product. I first bought it on the advice of a shop keeper in Fort William many years ago and its is an essential now.

Dave

Doggle Avaddit · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highland Damsel

The other option, other than nets is Jungle Formula I have never tried it and don't want to apparently it would melt plastic.
.

]

Jungle formula contains DEET. I had a DEET spray in my rucksack pocket whilst travelling in India. It leaked and melted the red plastic of my Swiss Army Knife.