...I came across this today and thought T'd pass it along:
Who cares wins Mozzie killer ... Avon so-soft By ANDREW PARKER
FEARLESS SAS troopers are using a secret weapon for jungle warfare — ladies’ Avon hand cream. The Who Dares Wins regiment began applying the scented lotion after learning it contains a mystery ingredient which wards off mosquitoes. Now the gunge, from Avon’s Skin-So-Soft range, has been adopted as an official part of SAS kit. Favourite among the battle-hardened soldiers is the Woodland Fresh hand and nail cream range. But troopers say a moisturising body spray from the Woodland range can also keep insects at bay. An SAS source said: “Jungle training is one of the hardest and most gruelling things we do. “Staying alive there is a skill on its own. Jungle warfare is not just about fighting the enemy but adapting to the surroundings. “It is important to learn to cope with the creatures there. “It is not just just the snakes, spiders and other poisonous creepy crawlies, but mosquitoes and the like can cause havoc. Not only can bites be a major irritation, but some carry disease. “In these conditions, troops must take all the protection they can. All the guys use this cream now — a lot of them swear by it.” Troopers began using the Avon cream after one man at their Hereford HQ was recommended it by his wife before a jungle tour. The hand cream costs £3 for 75ml — while the body spray sets soldiers back £5 for 150ml. Conventional 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent used by US and British armed forces costs £9.99 per tube. Last week it was revealed that Marmite also keeps mosquitoes at bay — because they hate its odour. An Avon spokesman said the firm were aware the Skin-So-Soft range was reputed to repel insects and was used by troops. She said: “It must be quite good because the SAS are using it but we’ve never done any research into its properties. “A lot of customers seem to swear by it, however I must stress it is only reputed to keep away mosquitoes and midges. “There is no scientific evidence to back it up — although the proof is in the pudding.”
(from the on-line SUN)
Cheers
