DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) on your skin: a safety profile
Low riskPrimary route of intended use. Well-tolerated at label concentrations.
What is deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide)?
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a insect repellent, amide, aromatic compound.
The IUPAC name is N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide.
Also known as: DEET, N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, m-DET.
- IUPAC name
- N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide
- CAS number
- 134-62-3
- Molecular formula
- C12H17NO
- Molecular weight
- 191.27 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCN(CC)C(=O)C1=CC(C)=CC=C1
- PubChem CID
- 4284
Risk for people
Low riskPrimary route of intended use. Well-tolerated at label concentrations.
Per EPA 2014 assessment, dermal application at recommended concentrations (10-30% for routine use, up to 100% for specialized use) is safe. Wash off after returning indoors.
Regulatory consensus
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US EPA | 2014 | Registered pesticide (active ingredient in insect repellents) | Re-registered 2014; considered safe when used as directed |
| WHO | — | Recommended for malaria prevention | WHO recommends DEET-based repellents for personal protection against vector-borne diseases |
| CDC | — | Recommended insect repellent | CDC recommends DEET along with picaridin, IR3535, and OLE as effective repellents |
| EU BPR | — | Approved biocidal active substance (PT19 — Repellents and attractants) | Approved under EU Biocidal Products Regulation |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where you encounter deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide)
- Insect Repellent Spray — OFF! Deep Woods, Cutter Backwoods, Repel 100
- Insect Repellent Lotion — OFF! FamilyCare, Ultrathon
- Treated Clothing — Military BDU treated uniforms, insect repellent wristbands
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide):
- Picaridin (Icaridin)
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE/PMD)
- IR3535
Frequently asked questions
Is deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide) safe for you?
Primary route of intended use. Well-tolerated at label concentrations.
What products contain deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide)?
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) appears in: OFF! Deep Woods (insect repellent spray); Cutter Backwoods (insect repellent spray); OFF! FamilyCare (insect repellent lotion); Ultrathon (insect repellent lotion); Military BDU treated uniforms (treated clothing).
What should I do if my you is exposed to deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide)?
Apply as directed. Wash treated areas with soap and water when protection is no longer needed.
Why do regulators disagree about deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide)?
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) has been classified by 4 agencies including US EPA, WHO, CDC, EU BPR, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) in the body app
Look up products containing deet (n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in body View raw API dataReference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →