Buzzie
Insect Repellent Spray
Spray · FIFRA 25(b) minimum risk repellent product (exempt from EPA registration)
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Pros
- Names its botanical oils and keeps the formula simple.
Cons
- No concentrations disclosed, so strength and protection can't be verified.
- An isopropyl alcohol base feels harsh and drying on skin.
- Lemongrass adds a sensitization risk, and we found no proven repellency.
The full review
This plant-based spray names six essential-oil actives totaling 21% but withholds the individual concentrations, which lands it not recommended for an undisclosed formula and no proven mosquito protection. Without per-active amounts no protection window can be modeled, so effectiveness sits near the floor and transparency is held back. Safety is middling, driven by high sensitization and moderate irritation from lemongrass oil plus a pregnancy caution, and the isopropyl alcohol base can feel harsh and drying. The claim audit is the relative bright spot, with 2 strong and 3 moderate among six reviewed, though not enough to lift the picture. The fast-drying formula is restricted to children 3 and up, and the missing disclosure remains the core problem.
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%50Rosemary oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 3 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (+7).
Rosemary oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 3 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (+7).
Safety15%66From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: high skin-sensitization risk from Lemongrass oil (−18); moderate irritation risk from Lemongrass oil (−6); 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 Lemongrass oil (−18); moderate irritation risk from Lemongrass oil (−6); caution advised in pregnancy (−6); moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%45This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 0% of active concentrations (+0); discloses 0% of all ingredient concentrations (+0); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 0% of active concentrations (+0); discloses 0% of all ingredient concentrations (+0); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
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); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
Active ingredient concentrations are not published for this product.
- GeraniolActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Peppermint oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Cedarwood oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Rosemary oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Geranium oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Lemongrass oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Water
Inert (carrier) · concentration not disclosed
- Castor oil
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Isopropyl alcohol
Inert (carrier/solvent) · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“TSA travel safe”
OtherStrongTSA-compliant travel size — a verifiable format fact, not a skin-safety claim.
“Fast-drying, non-sticky, smells good to humans and bad to bugs”
OtherModerateFast-drying and non-sticky are plausible for the alcohol/castor-oil base, and 'smells bad to bugs' aligns with the essential-oil actives, but none of these are independently verified.
“Exempt from EPA registration under FIFRA section 25(b)”
OtherStrongStated verbatim on the product label; all actives and inerts appear on the EPA minimum-risk lists.
“Family-friendly when used as directed”
Kid SafeWeakLemongrass oil at 4% is a high skin-sensitization/irritation risk at this level, so a "gentle / safe-for-kids" claim overstates the safety profile.
“Plant-powered protection without harsh chemicals”
NaturalModerateAll actives are plant-derived essential oils/geraniol; inerts include isopropyl alcohol. Not equivalent to EPA-registered repellent efficacy standards.
“Independently tested to be effective against mosquitoes for up to three hours”
DurationModerateBrand-commissioned testing; label itself states the efficacy of the product has not been reviewed by the EPA.
How to apply it
Shake before use. Apply generously to the entire area of skin to be protected, avoiding the eyes and mouth, and reapply as needed (brand testing supports up to three hours against mosquitoes). Use adult supervision when applying to children; do not apply to children's hands, do not allow children to apply the product themselves, and do not use on children under 3 years old. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after use, and do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
