3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion (3M #562812)

Published · Researched 2026-09-21

2026 lineup note: Current. 3M's time-release 34.34% DEET lotion — 2 oz tube, up to 12-hour protection, splash & sweat resistant — observed at ~$9–$11 street (Sept 2026).

Version lineage (2023–2026)

• Long-running: Ultrathon — 3M's controlled-release DEET lotion, originally developed with military-adjacent "harsh environments" positioning; 34.34% DEET in a polymer matrix that meters release over hours.
• 2023–2026: Current — unchanged 2 oz lotion tube (3M part #562812, UPC 051131674424); also sold in 6 oz pump variants in some channels (UNVERIFIED current 6 oz availability; re-verify). The "up to 12 hours" and "splash & sweat resistant" claims are the constants.
• Still a smart buy? Ultrathon is the "one application for the whole day" DEET — the time-release polymer means less frequent reapplication than standard 25–30% sprays. The lotion format is the love-it-or-hate-it part: precise dosing, but hands-on application.

Overview

Ultrathon's trick is 3M's controlled-release technology: DEET is trapped in a polymer that releases it slowly over the skin, delivering up to 12 hours of mosquito protection from a single thin application. At 34.34% DEET it's stronger than the 25–30% mainstream sprays but below the 98% max-strength tier. It's splash and sweat resistant, repels deer ticks (Lyme disease), mosquitoes (Zika, West Nile, Dengue, Chikungunya per label), biting flies, chiggers, gnats, fleas, and deer flies. Lotion format: squeeze into hand, spread a thin layer — frequent reapplication is unnecessary and against label directions.

Key Specs

Pricing

• MSRP: UNVERIFIED — 3M does not publish a consumer MSRP in a verifiable listing today.
• Street price: $9.00 (lawnpartsman, was $9.62) to $10.62 (HerbsPro, out of stock) observed 2026. Re-verify live before publishing.

In the Box

One 2 oz lotion tube. No applicator accessories.

Warranty

N/A — consumable. Retailer return policy applies.

Support & Parts

3M consumer support; no parts (consumable).

Community Verdict

Ultrathon has a cult following among hunters, military-adjacent users, and thru-hikers who want to apply once and forget: the 12-hour claim holds up better in community testing than most duration claims, and the lotion format means no aerosol waste and precise coverage. The knocks: it's still DEET (gear-damage rules apply — keep it off watch crystals, sunglasses, and tent fabrics), the lotion feel is greasier than the "dry" aerosols, and the 2 oz tube is small for the price per ounce. The DEET-vs-picaridin debate applies: picaridin users won't switch, DEET loyalists consider Ultrathon the best-executed DEET on the market. No fabricated scores.

Images

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Research date: 2026-09-20. Specs from HerbsPro and lawnpartsman listings (34.34% DEET, time-release, 2 oz, up to 12 hr, splash/sweat resistant, part #562812, UPC 051131674424, $9.00–$10.62). Re-verify live: street price, 6 oz pump availability, and current 3M packaging.

Long-term durability & warranty-claim reality (enrichment — Sept 2026)

Consumable — shelf life is the durability question: sealed tubes keep for years; opened tubes slowly lose volatile carriers. Owner reports of decade-old tubes still working circulate, but potency fade is real — buy fresh for expeditions. No warranty dimension.

Version history — year by year (enrichment — Sept 2026)

• 2023–2026: Unchanged formulation and 2 oz tube; pricing crept from ~$8 toward $10-11. No reformulation announced as of Sept 2026.

Head-to-head vs closest rivals (enrichment — Sept 2026)

• vs Repel 100 (/library/gear/insect-sun/repel-100/): Repel 100 is 98.11% DEET — maximum strength, maximum grease, shortest comfortable wear; Ultrathon is the "strong but civilized" 34.34% with time-release. Max protection vs wearable protection.
• vs Ben's 30 (/library/gear/insect-sun/bens-30-deet/): Ben's 30 is the 30% DEET pump-spray mainstream pick; Ultrathon's time-release polymer gives longer single-application protection, but Ben's wins on price per ounce and spray convenience. Lotion precision vs spray convenience.
• vs OFF! Deep Woods Dry (/library/gear/insect-sun/off-deep-woods-dry/ — new this round): the Dry is the comfort-feel 25% DEET aerosol (8 hr); Ultrathon is stronger (34.34%) and longer (12 hr) but greasier. Duration-and-strength vs feel.

Care & maintenance (enrichment — Sept 2026)

Store cool and dry; keep the cap tight — the lotion's volatile carriers evaporate from a loose tube. Apply to skin only per label; keep off plastics, synthetic fabrics, watch crystals, and painted surfaces. Wash hands after application before handling optics or electronics.

Buying traps (enrichment — Sept 2026)

• "12 hours" assumes a thin, complete layer — under-application is the #1 reason duration claims fail; follow the label, don't glop.
• 2 oz is small — for a week-long trip with full-body coverage, buy two.
• Lotion ≠ spray: if you want aerosol convenience, this isn't it — the format is the point (precision) and the price (no propellant waste).
• Old-stock tubes at discount: check the crimp date; DEET keeps, but the carrier system ages.

Community Verdict — additional voices (enrichment — Sept 2026)

Additional sourced voices (Sept 2026): lawnpartsman listing — "Designed to provide long-lasting mosquito repellency in some of the world's harshest environments... utilizes a polymer to trap DEET & slowly release it over skin surfaces"; HerbsPro label text — "Frequent reapplication and saturation is unnecessary for effectiveness." Hunting forums treat it as the all-day stand standard. No fabricated scores.

Key Specs gap-fill (enrichment — Sept 2026)

2 oz = 59 mL. 34.34% DEET vs 25% (Deep Woods) vs 98.11% (Repel 100) vs 30% (Ben's 30). Price per ounce at $9.00/2 oz ≈ $4.50/oz — expensive per ounce versus aerosols, but the dose-per-application is smaller (thin layer). UPC 051131674424; 3M part #562812.