Firstly, and most importantly for me, patch test. Applied a little to the back of each hand every couple of hours for a day. Is there anything in there that makes my skin itch? No itching experienced at all, we are good to go ahead and test - WooHoo! I didn't think there would be but I have learnt the hard way to always test.
First impressions of the product. Fabulous. Applies easily and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy, oily or sticky. The smell is amazing, I do love the smell, wonderfully fresh and clean. Finally on first impressions, I really, really enjoy watching peoples faces when I tell them that the gorgeous perfume they have just complimented me on is actually insect repellent. Must remember to dab a little behind the ears and on the pulse points on the wrists as well as where the nasty little carnivorous insects attack.
Big Question, does it work? Quick answer, yes it does.
Applied to arms, legs, hairline and neck (I am the favourite dinner for those horrible insects) and went out. I tempted everything and went walking in all the places that I know the insects live. Down by the river, the marshy wetlands, through the woods by the stream.... Not one single bite.
Major test, dog training classes are 2 hours long and held in a field where there are midges and horseflies. Last time one of the horse flies bit me I ended up at the Doctors (and on antibiotics) and was asked if I was sure it was a horse fly and not a pterodactyl that had bitten me. This time I had applied the cream and they didn't come anywhere near me!!!!
Two Discoveries.
If you apply a thin smear of the cream along your cheekbones it stops insects from landing on your glasses.
Unlike some other insect repellents if you miss a bit it doesn't seem to reduce effectiveness. I have been bitten in the past on the small section of skin that I missed applying repellent to, not so far with your cream.
Yesterday I forgot to apply any cream and got bitten. I know you said that this is intended as a preventative rather than an after-bite treatment but as I had a bite I decided to see if it had any effect on bites. It helped reduce the itching and redness, it's not as good as treating bites as antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream but if you don't have either to hand it is certainly better than not applying anything at all.