The ingredients that actually repel bugs

Yes. DEET is the most-studied insect repellent ever made, with six decades of evidence behind it. It confuses the receptors mosquitoes use to find you, and at 25% it delivers roughly 4–5 hours of complete protection. Its real drawbacks are feel, odor, and its appetite for plastics. Safety is not one of them; it is well established at normal use.

Water as disclosed on the product label.

Yes. Lemongrass is among the stronger essential-oil repellents, with complete protection around an hour to ninety minutes at well-formulated concentrations. That's the top of the botanical class, and still a fraction of any synthetic.

Against mosquitoes, the evidence is minimal. Against ticks, there's a genuine signal: cedrol, a cedarwood component, measurably repels ticks for short windows. Treat cedarwood products as brief, tick-leaning helpers, not mosquito protection.

Yes. It's the only plant-derived active with synthetic-class performance. Refined to 30% (standardized for PMD, its active molecule), it delivers 4–6 hours of complete mosquito protection. Two honest caveats: it underperforms against ticks, and it's not for children under 3.

At 20%, picaridin matches or beats DEET in head-to-head field trials: 8–12 hours of complete mosquito protection and 7–8 hours against ticks, all without the odor, greasy feel, or plastic damage. It's why picaridin products top our rankings.

Barely, and briefly. Citronella is the most famous botanical repellent and one of the weakest performers in controlled testing, lasting under 20 minutes of complete protection in the landmark NEJM study. It repels mosquitoes; it just stops doing so almost immediately.

Botanical oil from Mentha piperita used in minimum-risk repellent formulations.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Yes, and at the right concentration, better than most botanicals. Luker 2023 arm-in-cage tests found 10% geraniol in a lotion emulsion protected for over 60 minutes against both mosquitoes and ticks. López 2025 showed the dose-response has a steep cliff: below 4% it's nearly useless, but at 5% it reaches the same plateau as 10%. Products with 5%+ geraniol in a lotion base deserve a serious look; products at 1–3% do not.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

IR3535 is a synthetic amino-acid derivative that's been Europe's quiet workhorse repellent for over 30 years. At 20% it provides roughly 6–8 hours against both mosquitoes and ticks, with one of the gentlest safety profiles of any synthetic.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Fragrance as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Undisclosed proprietary blend of essential oils used as the repellent-active component; the manufacturer does not publish the specific oils or percentages.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Organic non-GMO sugarcane alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

Plant oil used as an active ingredient in minimum-risk insect repellent formulations.

Aloe barbadensis extract as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

PMD is the active molecule inside oil of lemon eucalyptus, and the only plant-derived repellent compound with DEET-class evidence. At 30%-OLE-equivalent concentrations it provides 4–6 hours of complete mosquito protection.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Botanical oil used in minimum-risk tick and insect repellent formulations.

Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil (Lemon eucalyptus oil) as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

SD Alcohol 40-B as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Extra virgin olive oil (organic) as disclosed on the product label.

Juniper berry oil as disclosed on the product label.

Octinoxate as disclosed on the product label.

Octisalate as disclosed on the product label.

Polyurethane copolymer as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer as disclosed on the product label.

Chamomile oil as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

2-Undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone) is a biochemical repellent active derived from wild tomato plants (Lycopersicon hirsutum), where it serves as a natural defense against insects. It also occurs naturally in bananas, cloves, ginger, and guava. Registered by the EPA as a biochemical pesticide, it was the first new repellent active ingredient approved in over 25 years and is used in DEET-free formulas against mosquitoes and ticks.

Octocrylene as disclosed on the product label.

Oxybenzone as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seed Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) Flower Extract as disclosed on the product label.

Coconut oil as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Fir Needle (Abies siberica) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Propane as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

Alcohol Denat. as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Aloe barbadensis leaf oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Ambrette (Hibiscus abelmoschus) Seed Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Andiroba seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetic Acid) as disclosed on the product label.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Kernel Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Arginine as disclosed on the product label.

Avobenzone as disclosed on the product label.

Avocado (Persea gratissima) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Blue tansy flower/leaf/stem oil as disclosed on the product label.

Buddha Wood (Eremophila mitchellii) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Butylene glycol as disclosed on the product label.

C12-15 alkyl benzoate as disclosed on the product label.

C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside as disclosed on the product label.

C14-22 Alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Flower Extract as disclosed on the product label.

Caprylhydroxamic acid as disclosed on the product label.

Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides as disclosed on the product label.

Carbomer (Carbopol) as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Cetyl alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

Chlorophyllin-copper complex as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Plant-derived carrier/active oil used in some FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk botanical repellents. On the EPA 25(b) exempt active list.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Cornstarch as disclosed on the product label.

DEA-oleth-3 phosphate as disclosed on the product label.

Diglycol/CHDM/isophthalates/SIP copolymer as disclosed on the product label.

Dimethicone as disclosed on the product label.

Disodium EDTA as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Flaxseed seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Seed Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Wood Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Homosalate as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as disclosed on the product label.

Imidazolidinyl urea as disclosed on the product label.

Isostearic acid as disclosed on the product label.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Hydrosol as disclosed on the product label.

Lavender flower water as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Lime as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Linalool as disclosed on the product label.

Magnesium aluminum silicate as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Octyl methoxycinnamate as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) Wood Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) Leaf Oil as disclosed on the product label.

PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Polyurethane-1 as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Propanediol as disclosed on the product label.

Propylene glycol myristyl ether acetate as disclosed on the product label.

Quillaja saponaria extract (soap bark) as disclosed on the product label.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extract as disclosed on the product label.

Safflower Oil as disclosed on the product label.

SD Alcohol 40 as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Sodium Gluconate as disclosed on the product label.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.

Spinach leaf extract as disclosed on the product label.

Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) Oil as disclosed on the product label.

Tamanu seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Vanilla Planifolia Oleoresin as disclosed on the product label.

Vegan Wax as disclosed on the product label.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) Root Oil as disclosed on the product label.

VP/Eicosene copolymer as disclosed on the product label.

Listed as an inert ingredient permitted in EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) pesticide products.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Distillate as disclosed on the product label.

Witch hazel water as disclosed on the product label.