Cliganic
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets (Kids and Adults, 10 Pack)
Electronic · Marketed as a DEET-free essential-oil consumer product rather than an EPA-registered skin repellent. Essential-oil repellent bands of this type are generally sold under the EPA FIFRA 25 minimum-risk exemption and are not reviewed by the EPA for bite-protection efficacy.
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Cons
- No reliable evidence it reduces mosquito bites in controlled studies
- The kind of device the FTC has fined marketers of for unsupported repellent claims
The full review
A multipack of individually wrapped, DEET-free bands infused with plant essential oils such as citronella, sold in bulk and marketed for kids and adults to slip on at the park, camp, or a backyard cookout. Like other scented bands, each one does release a real aroma into the air right around it. The problem is the format rather than the oils. Mosquitoes bite ankles, arms, the neck, and any uncovered skin, and a band on the wrist or ankle cannot wrap a whole person in enough repellent vapor to keep them from being found. When repellent-treated wristbands were tested head to head against skin repellent in the New England Journal of Medicine, they offered essentially no protection against bites. A separate wearable-device trial found bands caused no significant reduction in how strongly mosquitoes were drawn to a person. Wearing several bands does not close the gap, because each one still only scents the small area around it. The bands are cheap and harmless to wear, but controlled evidence does not support them as reliable bite protection.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%0There is no reliable evidence that this reduces mosquito bites. Controlled field studies and systematic reviews of electronic and gadget repellents (ultrasonic devices, apps, and repellent wristbands) have found no protective effect, and the linked research below shows why. It scores zero for effectiveness against biting.
There is no reliable evidence that this reduces mosquito bites. Controlled field studies and systematic reviews of electronic and gadget repellents (ultrasonic devices, apps, and repellent wristbands) have found no protective effect, and the linked research below shows why. It scores zero for effectiveness against biting.
Evidence & honest claims25%8No published studies in our library directly support this product's active ingredients at their concentrations (base 20). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-12).
No published studies in our library directly support this product's active ingredients at their concentrations (base 20). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-12).
Safety15%60This is not applied to your skin and poses little direct hazard to you. Safety is not the concern with these products; effectiveness is (see above).
This is not applied to your skin and poses little direct hazard to you. Safety is not the concern with these products; effectiveness is (see above).
Transparency15%0This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
The manufacturer does not publish an ingredient list for this product.
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Natural DEET-free bands repel mosquitoes from kids and adults”
EfficacyUnsupportedThe oils are active in a small pocket of air, but a band cannot protect the whole body. Fradin and Day (NEJM, 2002; 347(1):13-18) found repellent-impregnated wristbands gave essentially no protection against bites versus skin-applied repellent, and Rodriguez et al. (J Insect Sci, 2017; 17(1):24) found wearable bands produced no significant reduction in mosquito attraction.
“Each band creates a protection zone around the wearer”
EfficacyUnsupportedRepellent vapor only works within a few centimeters of its source, so a band does not create a usable zone that covers arms, legs, and face. The University of Sydney public-health guidance states plainly that wristbands are not a reliable way to prevent mosquito bites.
“DEET-free and made with plant-based essential oils”
NaturalStrongThis is literally true. The bands contain no DEET and are scented with plant essential oils such as citronella. The accuracy of the ingredient claim does not change the fact that the band format does not protect exposed skin across the body.