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From: ronald@uhunix1.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Ronald A. Amundson)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry,sci.chem,sci.bio,misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Black Flies in New England
Message-ID: <13380@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 8 Jun 91 22:05:29 GMT
References: <77327@brunix.UUCP> <1991Jun3.155122.8245@infocomm.com> <5994@lectroid.sw.stratus.com> <1991Jun7.170618.7515@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk>
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In article <1991Jun7.170618.7515@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk> jack@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Jack Campin) writes:

>> 	To repell black flies, try Avon's Skin So Soft

>
>What _is_ this stuff?  Fabric conditioner?  [etc., etc.]
...

>Does it work, and if so, how?


How do Brits stay beautiful without Avon?  Avon is a door-to-door
American cosmetic vendor.  Skin So Soft is a light, scented oil
designed (I'm told) as a bath oil.  You can rub it on skin.  (You can
rub just about anything on skin, of course, with varying results.)  

Yes it works.  Not especially well.  It was a big fad a few years ago,
and I saw a study done by some group like Consumer Reports.  Results
were that _any_ light oil rubbed on skin will repell biting insects
for a short time.  As the oil gets absorbed, the biters return.  It
lasts only for 20 minutes or so, per dose.  It is _not_ as effective
as commercial insect repellents, probably since its only protection is
a mechanical barrier.  A heavier oil might last longer.  Perhaps axle
grease.  Avon does not peddle axle grease from door to door, probably
because of its negligible cosmetic properties.  

Ron Amundson
Univ. of Hawaii at Hilo