Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Spray · FIFRA 25(b) minimum risk repellent product
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
Pros
- Lists its cinnamon, clove, peppermint, and cedarwood oils, so at least the blend is transparent.
Cons
- No concentrations given, so there's no way to verify strength or estimate protection.
- Despite the 'sensitive skin' name, cinnamon and clove are among the most sensitizing botanicals.
- Our audit cleared only 2 of 7 marketing claims.
The full review
Framed as a gentler cinnamon formula for sensitive skin and kids 3 and up, this still lands not recommended for an undisclosed formula and no proven mosquito protection. The actives are listed without concentrations, so no protection window can be modeled, and transparency suffers accordingly. The sensitive-skin promise is hard to square with the chemistry: cinnamon and clove are among the most sensitizing botanicals, so safety carries high sensitization and irritation cautions plus a pregnancy flag. Evidence is soft as well, with only 2 of 7 audited claims rated strong. RIPT-tested and free of synthetic fragrances, it has the right intentions, but the missing disclosure and irritation profile keep it below the bar.
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%41Cinnamon 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: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 3 weak, 0 unsupported (-2).
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: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 3 weak, 0 unsupported (-2).
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
- 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.
“No parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or sulfates”
SafetyStrongBrand page.
“RIPT-tested for skin compatibility”
SafetyModerateOn brand page; missing from this variant's stored claims.
“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.
“Repels mosquitoes and biting insects”
EfficacyWeakCinnamon/clove/peppermint/cedarwood oils have limited peer-reviewed efficacy data; product efficacy has not been reviewed by EPA.
“Formulated for sensitive skin with reduced ingredient concentrations”
SafetyWeakCinnamon oil (concentration undisclosed) is a high skin-sensitization/irritation risk at this level, so a "gentle / safe-for-kids" claim overstates the safety profile.
“Suitable for kids 3 and up”
Kid SafeWeakCinnamon oil (concentration undisclosed) is a high skin-sensitization/irritation risk at this level, so a "gentle / safe-for-kids" claim overstates the safety profile.
“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.