Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Insect Repellent
Spray · FIFRA 25(b) minimum risk repellent product
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Pros
- Names its botanical oils (cinnamon, clove, peppermint, cedarwood, lemongrass), so you know the blend, if not the amounts.
Cons
- No concentrations disclosed, so its strength, and any protection estimate, can't be verified.
- Cinnamon and clove oils are among the harshest actives for skin sensitization.
- Only 1 of 7 marketing claims held up in our audit.
The full review
A warm cinnamon-led botanical blend that names its oils up front, but it lands not recommended on two counts: the concentrations are withheld and there is no proven mosquito protection. Without per-active amounts our model cannot estimate any protection window, which leaves effectiveness near the floor and drags transparency well down. Safety is a real concern too, with high sensitization and irritation risk from cinnamon oil plus a pregnancy caution, since cinnamon and clove are among the harshest actives for skin. The claim audit is weak, with only 1 of 7 reviewed claims holding up strongly. The RIPT-tested, synthetic-fragrance-free positioning will appeal to natural-leaning buyers, but the missing disclosure makes it hard to endorse.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%10Mosquitoes: protection cannot be modeled because the active concentration is undisclosed. Ticks: protection cannot be modeled because the active concentration is undisclosed. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with lower confidence.
Mosquitoes: protection cannot be modeled because the active concentration is undisclosed. Ticks: protection cannot be modeled because the active concentration is undisclosed. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with lower confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%39Cinnamon oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 4 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-4).
Cinnamon oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 4 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-4).
Safety15%60From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: high skin-sensitization risk from Cinnamon oil (−18); high irritation risk from Cinnamon oil (−12); caution advised in pregnancy (−6); moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: high skin-sensitization risk from Cinnamon oil (−18); high irritation risk from Cinnamon oil (−12); caution advised in pregnancy (−6); moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%20This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 0% of active concentrations (+0); discloses 0% of all ingredient concentrations (+0); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 0% of active concentrations (+0); discloses 0% of all ingredient concentrations (+0); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (low confidence)
No protection time estimated — this product's label doesn't disclose the active ingredient's concentration, and protection depends on both the ingredient and its strength.
Tick estimate basis (low confidence)
No protection time estimated — this product's label doesn't disclose the active ingredient's concentration, and protection depends on both the ingredient and its strength.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 0% of active concentrations (+0); discloses 0% of all ingredient concentrations (+0); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
Active ingredient concentrations are not published for this product.
- Cedarwood oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Clove oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Lemongrass oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Peppermint oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Cinnamon oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Cruelty-free / never tested on animals”
SafetyModerateOfficial page claim.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and biting flies”
EfficacyUnsupportedThe formula's cinnamon/clove/peppermint/cedarwood oils have minimal/unproven tick data and no tick protection estimate, so the added tick claim is not supported.
“Repels mosquitoes and biting insects”
EfficacyWeakCinnamon/clove/peppermint/cedarwood oils have limited peer-reviewed efficacy data; product efficacy has not been reviewed by EPA.
“No synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates”
NaturalModeratePer manufacturer; full inert ingredient list is not disclosed online.
“RIPT-tested for skin compatibility”
SafetyModerateCompany-reported repeat insult patch testing; results not published.
“Up to 2 hours of protection per application”
DurationModeratePer manufacturer FAQ. Modest duration claim that is plausible for essential-oil blends, but not EPA-reviewed.
“DEET-free plant-based formula”
Deet FreeStrongNo DEET in labeled actives; brand prominently markets 'No DEET'.
How to apply it
Shake well before each use. Mist exposed skin and clothing from about 6 inches away. Reapply every 2 hours, or sooner after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.