Bug spray and sunscreen, how apply?

[SanDiegoSue]

We'll be canoeing down a river and visiting an Embera Indian village in Panama. How should I apply my bug spray or cream (with heavy Deet) and sunscreen?

Should I first put on the Deet and then rug on the sunscreen, or vice versa?

Or maybe put on the Deet, then the sunscreen, and top it off with more Deet?

 

Thank you!!

Sue

[Richard in Panama]

Put on the sunscreen and then wait and see if you need the DEET and then put it on. Probably you won't need it but it's nice to have along just in case. Regards, Richard

[pilotdane]

Sunscreen always goes first. It needs to be absorbed into the skin so if possible apply it 20-30 minutes before exposure or before you plan on sweating. DEET is a barrier protectant so it needs to remain in a nice thin layer on top of your skin.

[SanDiegoSue]

Thank you so much Richard and PilotDane. This was exactly what I needed to know. I would have done it wrong

Sue