[2] Unlike DEET, icaridin does not dissolve plastics, synthetics or sealants,[3] is odorless and non-greasy[4] and presents a lower risk of toxicity when used with sunscreen, as it may reduce skin absorption of both compounds.

[17] The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using repellents based on icaridin, DEET, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (IR3535), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (containing p-menthane-3,8-diol, PMD) for effective protection against mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and other illnesses.

[19] A 2018 study found that a commercial repellent product containing 20% icaridin, in what the authors described as "conservative exposure doses", is highly toxic to larval salamanders, a major predator of mosquito larvae.

The study has been regarded as invalid by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency,[24][25] which has evaluated icaridin prior to its approval under the EU Biocidal Product Regulation.

[27] Research on Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes suggests icaridin does not strongly activate their olfactory receptor neurons, but instead reduces the volatility of the odorants with which it is mixed.

[28] By reducing their volatility, icaridin effectively "masks" odorants attractive to mosquitoes on the skin, preventing them from reaching the olfactory receptors to some extent.

Commercial products containing icaridin include Cutter Advanced, Muskol, Repeltec,[29] Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent, Off!