Neem - Skin Care p.8 - Protecting your Skin Outdoors with Neem

The skin is often a target for biting flies, ticks, fleas and mosquitoes whenever we venture outdoors. These bites can not only cause rashes, welts and allergic reactions, they can also spread some serious diseases. Commercial products that are designed to repel these pests may be as bad or worse than some of the pests. These repellents are derivatives of toxic pesticides and can cause blocked pores, blisters, numbness and are not to be used directly on excessively sunburned or damaged skin, around the face, near the eyes or mouth, or on small children.

Neem as a Safe Insect Repellent

Neem has been used for thousands of years to protect people, food crops and homes from insect pests. Neem leaves are added to stored grain and placed in cupboards to protect food and clothing from pests. People working in the tropical jungles of India rub neem oil and leaves on their bodies to ward off mosquitoes. Scientists at the Malaria Institute have verified that neem extracts are some of the best natural, non-toxic methods of repelling all types of dangerous and bothersome insect pests from our bodies. One compound found in neem leaves, seeds and seed oil (salannin) is a more effective insect repellent than the widely used chemical ingredient called DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-tolumide) currently found in most commercial repellents.

Neem is an effective and desirable alternative to synthetic insect repellents because it is a safe, natural vegetable oil used daily for centuries to moisturize and beautify skin. This marvelous skin beautifier has been proven to repel annoying and dangerous insects, including the mosquito that carries malaria, for up to twelve hours. Neem-based creams and lotions are viable alternatives to synthetic repellents containing DEET for the following reasons.

Neem oil is an excellent skin moisturizer and healer while DEET is not recommended for application to excessively sunburned or damaged skin, around the face or mouth, or on small children.
Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil while DEET is a petroleum- based chemical that dissolves most synthetic clothing fabrics.
Neem oil has been used safely for centuries while DEET is a synthetic chemical that has only been used for a short time and may pose future unknown risks.

Because of these many problems with DEET, chemical companies and the U.S. Government are searching for a viable replacement.

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