I don’t believe that most insect repellents cause direct permanent harm to insects in the way that they’re used in on-body spray, if that’s your main concern. I’m far from an expert on the subject, but it seems like the two major synthetic repellents only (temporarily?) masks insects’ perception of the odorants leading them to you (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icaridin#Mechanism_of_action) rather than causing any overt sensation
I don’t believe that most insect repellents cause direct permanent harm to insects in the way that they’re used in on-body spray, if that’s your main concern. I’m far from an expert on the subject, but it seems like the two major synthetic repellents only (temporarily?) masks insects’ perception of the odorants leading them to you (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icaridin#Mechanism_of_action) rather than causing any overt sensation