Skeem Design
Skeem Verbena Aura Citronella Body Spray
Spray · No regulatory claim stated; fragrance-positioned citronella body spray, not EPA-registered and no 25(b) exemption statement found
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Pros
- A nicely scented citronella body spray with a soybean and castor oil base.
Cons
- Concentrations undisclosed and no proven repellency, so this is really a scent.
- Lemongrass carries a high sensitization risk.
The full review
Positioned first as a fine fragrance, this citronella body spray works by masking attractant scents rather than delivering a tested repellent dose, which is why it lands a clear not recommended. Because the citronella and lemongrass concentrations are undisclosed, our model cannot estimate any protection time, so the effectiveness pillar bottoms out. The evidence is thin, with half of its 4 audited claims rating weak. Safety is the main deduction, led by lemongrass oil's high sensitization risk plus a pregnancy caution. It does fully account for its inert ingredients, which helps transparency, but a nicely scented perfume that happens to smell of citronella is not a substitute for proven protection.
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%43Lemongrass oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 0 moderate, 2 weak, 0 unsupported (+0).
Lemongrass oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 0 moderate, 2 weak, 0 unsupported (+0).
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.
- Citronella oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Lemongrass oilActive
Active repellent · concentration not disclosed
- Castor oil
Carrier · concentration not disclosed
- Soybean oil
Carrier · concentration not disclosed
- Lime
Fragrance · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Hand-made in the USA”
NaturalStrong'Hand-made in the USA' is a verifiable, low-stakes sourcing fact stated by the retailer.
“Infused with citronella oils made from the lemongrass plant”
NaturalStrongPer manufacturer product description and retailer ingredient disclosure.
“Natural defense against biting insects by masking the smells they're attracted to”
EfficacyWeakCitronella has documented but short-lived repellency (often under 2 hours per application); no product-specific testing or duration disclosed.
“All-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free; no chemicals or DEET”
NaturalWeakThe actives are disclosed botanical oils and DEET-free, but 'no chemicals' is an absolute, unsubstantiated claim since essential oils are themselves chemicals that can irritate.
How to apply it
Spray onto bare skin before enjoying outdoor activities. Reapply as needed to refresh the scent and its insect-masking effect; the manufacturer states no specific reapplication interval. Avoid contact with eyes.
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
