Luna Naturals
Luna Naturals Mosquito Repellent Patches for Kids (90 Patches)
Electronic · Not EPA-registered; no concentration is published for either oil, and eucalyptus oil is not on EPA's 25(b) minimum-risk list
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
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
The children's version of the brand's repellent patches, sold in kid friendly designs to stick on clothing. Everything true of the adult patches is true here, and the stakes are higher. Controlled testing of repellent patches and stickers has consistently failed to show meaningful reductions in mosquito landing or biting, because a small scented patch cannot hold repellent vapour across the skin around it. Parents are the group most likely to reach for a patch specifically to avoid putting a spray on a child, which makes an ineffective patch worse than an ineffective gadget for an adult: it displaces protection for the person least able to notice they are being bitten and most likely to react badly to the bites. The oils are real, the format is not, and no testing is published. If the goal is avoiding a conventional spray on a child, a plant based lotion or wipe applied to skin does the job the patch cannot.
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%36Citronella oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 2 marketing claims audited: 0 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (-7).
Citronella oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 2 marketing claims audited: 0 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (-7).
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%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.
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.
- Citronella oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Eucalyptus oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Mosquito protection for kids without sprays”
Kid SafeUnsupportedThe without-sprays part is the selling point and the problem. Controlled testing of patches and stickers shows no meaningful bite reduction, so what is actually being offered is the absence of a spray rather than protection, and a parent who buys it stops looking for something that works. For a child, the right answer to not wanting a conventional spray is an age appropriate plant based lotion or wipe applied to skin.
“Fun designs kids love to wear”
OtherModerateAccurate and genuinely relevant to compliance, since a child will keep a sticker on where they would rub off a lotion. It is also the reason these sell. Appeal is not protection, and nothing about the design changes what the patch can deliver.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from Citronella oil, Eucalyptus oil.
Mainly from Eucalyptus oil.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →