Aerosol insect repellent composition having low VOC content and method of applying same to the skin

An insect repellent composition dispensable from an aerosol container, comprising:

• from about 0.5 wt. % to about 45 wt. % of an insect repellent effective to repel insects when applied to the skin, wherein said insect repellant is selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate, oil of citronella, soy bean oil, lemon grass oil, geranium/geraniol oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol;
• and
• a cosmetically-acceptable aerosol vehicle to disperse and deliver the insect repellent active, the vehicle having
• (i) a volatile organic compound (VOC) component, the VOC component having from about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a propellant and from about 1 to about 45 wt. % of an alcohol of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (ii) a non-volatile organic compound (non-VOC) component of water in an amount about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % and a non-VOC component other than water in an amount about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %,
• wherein the VOC component is present in an amount about 1 wt. % to about 55 wt. %, wherein the composition takes a form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, and a dispersion, wherein the composition is applied to humans, and wherein all percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

A method of repelling insects from skin comprising spraying on the skin an aerosol composition having:

• from about 0.5 to about 50 wt. % of an insect repellent effective to repel insects when applied to the skin, wherein said insect repellant is selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate, oil of citronella, soy bean oil, lemon grass oil, geranium/geraniol oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol;
• and
• a cosmetically-acceptable aerosol vehicle to disperse and deliver the insect repellent active, the vehicle having
• (i) a volatile organic compound (VOC) component, the VOC component having from about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a propellant and from about 1 to about 45 wt. % of an alcohol of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (ii) a non-volatile organic compound (non-VOC) component having water in an amount about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. %,
• wherein the VOC component is not greater than about 55 wt. %, wherein the composition takes a form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, and a dispersion, wherein the composition is applied to humans, and wherein all percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

An insect repellent composition dispensable from an aerosol container, comprising:

• from about 0.5 to about 50 wt. % of an insect repellent effective to repel insects when applied to the skin, wherein said insect repellant is selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate, oil of citronella, soy bean oil, lemon grass oil, geranium/geraniol oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol;
• and
• a cosmetically-acceptable aerosol vehicle to disperse and deliver the insect repellent active, the vehicle having
• (i) a volatile organic compound (VOC) component, the VOC component having from about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a propellant and from about 1 to about 45 wt. % of an alcohol of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (ii) a non-volatile organic compound (non-VOC) component having water in an amount up to about 50 wt. %,
• wherein the VOC component is not greater than about 55 wt. %, wherein the composition takes a form of a dispersion, wherein the composition is applied to humans, and wherein all percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

A method of repelling insects from skin, comprising spraying on the skin an aerosol composition having:

• from about 0.5 to about 50 wt. % of an insect repellent effective to repel insects when applied to the skin, wherein said insect repellant is selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate, oil of citronella, soy bean oil, lemon grass oil, geranium/geraniol oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol;
• and
• a cosmetically-acceptable aerosol vehicle to disperse and deliver the insect repellent active, the vehicle having
• (i) a volatile organic compound (VOC) component, the VOC component having from about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a propellant and from about 1 to about 45 wt. % of an alcohol of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (ii) a non-volatile organic compound (non-VOC) component having water in an amount up to about 50 wt. %,
• wherein the VOC component is not greater than about 55 wt. %, wherein the composition takes a form of a solution, wherein the composition is applied to humans, and wherein all percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

A method of repelling insects from skin, comprising spraying on the skin an aerosol composition having:

• from about 0.5 to about 50 wt. % of an insect repellent effective to repel insects when applied to the skin, wherein said insect repellant is selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate, oil of citronella, soy bean oil, lemon grass oil, geranium/geraniol oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol;
• and
• a cosmetically-acceptable aerosol vehicle to disperse and deliver the insect repellent active, the vehicle having
• (i) a volatile organic compound (VOC) component, the VOC component having from about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a propellant and from about 1 to about 45 wt. % of an alcohol of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (ii) a non-volatile organic compound (non-VOC) component having water in an amount up to about 50 wt. %,
• wherein the VOC component is not greater than about 55 wt. %, wherein the composition takes a form of a suspension, wherein the composition is applied to humans, and wherein all percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.