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BugRepellent.Guide

The ingredients that actually repel bugs

A short list does the heavy lifting. EPA-registered synthetic actives like DEET and picaridin have decades of efficacy review behind them; minimum-risk botanicals like citronella and cedarwood oil skip that review but show up in plenty of “natural” sprays. Here’s every ingredient we actually evaluate, with the safety and evidence that matters.

Look up any EPA-registered chemical →

51 ingredients

Water

InertCarrier

Water as disclosed on the product label.

38 products

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) — primary active in refined OLE

ActiveBotanical

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.

Low sensitizationNot for under 327 products4 studies

Fragrance

InertFragrance

Fragrance as disclosed on the product label.

11 products

Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed)

ActiveBotanical

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

Moderate sensitizationPregnancy caution10 products

Organic non-GMO sugarcane alcohol

InertCarrier

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

9 products

Aloe barbadensis extract

InertBotanical

Aloe barbadensis extract as disclosed on the product label.

8 products

Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil (Lemon eucalyptus oil)

ActiveBotanical

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

Moderate sensitizationNot for under 3Pregnancy caution4 products3 studies

SD Alcohol 40-B

InertCarrier

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

5 products

Extra virgin olive oil (organic)

InertBotanical

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

4 products

Juniper berry oil

ActiveBotanical

Juniper berry oil as disclosed on the product label.

Moderate sensitizationPregnancy caution3 products2 studies

Chamomile oil

InertBotanical

Chamomile oil as disclosed on the product label.

3 products

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) Oil

InertBotanical

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

3 products

Methyl nonyl ketone

2-Undecanone

ActiveBotanical

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.

Low sensitization2 products2 studies

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seed Oil

InertBotanical

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

3 products

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) Flower Extract

InertBotanical

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

2 products

Coconut oil

InertBotanical

Coconut oil as disclosed on the product label.

2 products

Fir Needle (Abies siberica) Oil

InertFragrance

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

Moderate sensitization2 products

Alcohol

InertCarrier

Alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Alcohol Denat.

InertCarrier

Alcohol Denat. as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Aloe barbadensis leaf oil

InertBotanical

Aloe barbadensis leaf oil as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Ambrette (Hibiscus abelmoschus) Seed Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Andiroba seed oil

InertBotanical

Andiroba seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetic Acid)

InertCarrier

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

1 product

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Kernel Oil

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Avocado (Persea gratissima) Oil

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Blue tansy flower/leaf/stem oil

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Buddha Wood (Eremophila mitchellii) Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

C14-22 Alcohol

InertCarrier

C14-22 Alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Flower Extract

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Cetyl alcohol

InertCarrier

Cetyl alcohol as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Flaxseed seed oil

InertBotanical

Flaxseed seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Seed Oil

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Wood Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Hydrosol

InertCarrier

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

1 product

Lavender flower water

InertCarrier

Lavender flower water as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Lime

InertFragrance

Lime as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Linalool

InertFragrance

Linalool as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) Wood Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) Leaf Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Quillaja saponaria extract (soap bark)

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extract

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Safflower Oil

InertBotanical

Safflower Oil as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

SD Alcohol 40

InertCarrier

SD Alcohol 40 as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Spinach leaf extract

InertBotanical

Spinach leaf extract as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) Oil

InertBotanical

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

1 product

Tamanu seed oil

InertBotanical

Tamanu seed oil as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Vanilla Planifolia Oleoresin

InertFragrance

Vanilla Planifolia Oleoresin as disclosed on the product label.

1 product

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) Root Oil

InertFragrance

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

1 product

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Distillate

InertCarrier

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

1 product

Witch hazel water

InertCarrier

Witch hazel water as disclosed on the product label.

1 product