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I’m no stranger to bug spray that makes you almost as itchy as bug bites themselves, or leaves you reeking of harsh chemicals.
Most bug sprays you’ll find in-store are made with Deet, a repellent that doesn’t kill but makes it difficult for biting bugs to smell humans. While cleared as safe for people and the environment by the EPA, concentrations of Deet over 30% can be toxic, and skin reactions can occur, especially with overexposure. A common alternative is Picaridin, a synthetic compound, but this can also cause irritation and harm the environment.
Bug sprays with natural ingredients are preferable if you have sensitive skin, are outdoors on a regular basis, or just want to keep unnecessary chemicals off your body. We know that natural bug sprays can vary in effectiveness, so we’ve tested out each one on our list so you know which ones are worth buying.
Here’s what we recommend looking for:
Natural Repellents: For effective bug sprays without synthetics and harmful chemicals, look for repellents formulated with natural remedies like citronella, lavender, cedarwood, lemongrass, geranium, or catnip.
Regenerative Ingredients: A common problem in the cosmetics and body care industry is overharvesting of natural ingredients, especially organic ingredients. Look for responsible brands that source their ingredients from regenerative farms to ensure the health of the soil and plant population.
Certifications: Many brands on this list are certified B-Corps, meaning they prioritize workers and the environment at the same level as profit. To be sure a brand is actually using organic ingredients, check for labels from USDA Organic.
Packaging: Most of the bug sprays you’ll find in store come in plastic bottles. Look for brands that use non-plastic packaging that you can recycle, like glass and metal bottles. Bonus points if the brand lets you send it back for refills!
What we love: This vegan small-batch brand combines herb essential oils with skin toners to make a lemongrass geranium-scented bug spray. It comes in a metal bottle that can be returned to the brand for refill, or repurposed or recycled at home. Meow Meow Tweet is a certified B-Corp, and only uses regenerative ingredients in its skincare products.
Our Review: This bug spray is our tester’s go-to summer companion. Not only does it keep insects away in the park or the woods (with regular reapplication), but it also smells delightful. The herbal, slightly spicy scent is more reminiscent of a perfume than an insect repellent.
Price: $4.50-$50
Available: Internationally.
What we love: EcoRoots is a low-waste brand that makes self-care products in small batches. All of its packaging is recyclable, including the aluminum spray bottle its insect repellent comes in. The bug spray natural ingredients like witch hazel, rosemary, lemon eucalyptus, and citronella.
Watch out for: It’s unclear where the bug spray is made.
Our Review: This spray smells wonderful and seems to work really well to repel mosquitoes. Our tester lent it to some friends, and one said, “This is absolutely delightful!”
Price: $12.99
Available: Internationally
What we love: This bug repellent comes in a moisturizing stone made with cocoa butter concentrate and natural fragrances. It has natural repellents like citronella, lemongrass, and geranium. It produces all of its products in one facility and sources its plastic-free packaging from U.S. suppliers.
Our Review: This came in a cute box wrapped in fabric, and was luxurious to rub over the skin. Our tester did see a mosquito land on her phone as she was using my plant identification app, but didn’t even hear one buzzing near her ear while wearing this lotion-y repellent. The only drawback is that it’s not as easy to pass around to friends and acquaintances for sharing as a spray bottle.
What we love: Erin, the brand’s founder, created this natural bug spray after her dog tried to lick chemical-based ones off her legs. All products are made in New Jersey in its own facility, where you can pick up orders or even book a tour. The bug spray is made with ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, geranium, and cedar wood, and comes in a plastic recyclable spray bottle.
Watch out for: Why the bottle itself is recyclable, the spray nozzle is not.
Our Review: This one smells really nice, and does work for a bit, but loses its effectiveness fairly quickly.
What we love: Kinfield offers several unique bug repellents and itch relief products, including mosquito repellent wipes, bug spray, anti-itch balm, and bug bite relief patches. Its phthalate and paraben-free repellents are made with Indonesian citronella. Most of its packaging is recyclable, (you’ll have to send the nozzles back to the brand) and its wipes are compostable after use. All of Kinfield’s products are made in the U.S
Our Review: This spray is too strong for our tester’s taste — it made her cough even when she sprayed it outside. It does seem to be effective, however.
Price: $16-$22
Available in: The U.S.
What we love: In the organic and permaculture gardening space, lavender is often recommended as a completely natural bug repellent. We tried a spray lavender version that’s in the Body section of Whole Foods. It’s made with just organic lavender oil, organic alcohol, and flower water, all of which are sourced responsibly.
Review: Of course it smelled delightful, but it did not seem to work well, sadly.
Price: $16
Available: Internationally
What we love: This certified B-Corp carries a variety of natural bug repellents and itch relief products. Its collection includes a classic bug spray, as well as an insect repellent balm in either a tin or a stick. All of its repellents are made with majority organic ingredients. The spray bottle and tin are both made from recyclable aluminum.
Watch out for: It’s unclear if the packaging for the itch relief stick is recyclable.
Our Review: The spray didn’t seem to work. Within a half hour of putting it on, our tester could hear and feel the mosquitoes.
Price: $6.99-$9.99 for singles, $39.96-$96.93 for bundles.
Available in: The U.S., though some stores outside the U.S. carry its products.
What we love: erbaviva started making organic skincare in the mid-nineties, and has been operating in L.A. ever since. This B-Corp and USDA Organic-certified brand works closely with its farmers and distillers to ensure regenerative and responsible sourcing practices. Its bug spray is made with key natural ingredients like catnip, eucalyptus, cedarwood, citronella, and lemongrass.
Our Review: This spray didn’t seem to work quite as well. And a woman who has chemical sensitivity gently told our tester that the citronella cloud hanging around a half hour later was noticeable to her, and not in a good way.
Price: $21
Available in: The U.S.
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