the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Charleston Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Spray · Not EPA-registered (per brand FAQ); brand cites EPA's minimum-risk exemption guidance but states oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active, which is not a 25(b)-eligible ingredient
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Pros
- A pretty, southern-garden eau de parfum that's pleasant to spritz on.
Cons
- It's perfume, not protection: a proprietary blend with no disclosed strength and no proven repellency.
- Likely not EPA-compliant as a repellent.
The full review
Sold as a southern-garden scent that also wards off bugs, this one lands a clear not recommended, and the reasons are baked in across the whole BUZZ line. The active sits inside an undisclosed proprietary blend, so our model has no concentration to work from and cannot estimate any protection window at all, which leaves the effectiveness pillar at the very bottom. The brand names oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active, but OLE is not eligible for the FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk exemption, so selling it unregistered is hard to defend. Safety is the strongest pillar yet still carries sensitization, irritation, pregnancy, and under-3 cautions. As a perfume it is pleasant to spritz; as protection against bites it is not something to rely on.
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%33Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 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: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 2 weak, 1 unsupported (-10).
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 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: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 2 weak, 1 unsupported (-10).
Safety15%70From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: moderate skin-sensitization risk from Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) (−10); moderate irritation risk from Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus) (−8); caution advised in pregnancy (−6). Some of this safety data is low-confidence.
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: moderate skin-sensitization risk from Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) (−10); moderate irritation risk from Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed) (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus) (−8); caution advised in pregnancy (−6). Some of this safety data is low-confidence.
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.
- Oil of Lemon EucalyptusActive
Active repellent (per brand FAQ, not the product label) · concentration not disclosed
- Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed)Active
Active repellent (undisclosed blend) · concentration not disclosed
- Organic non-GMO sugarcane alcohol
Carrier (perfume base) · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Hand-crafted in Charleston in small batches, ethically sourced and manufactured”
NaturalWeakBrand marketing claim, unverifiable.
“Suitable for all skin types”
SafetyModerateStated on brand product page.
“Safe for babies 6 months and older”
Kid SafeUnsupportedBrand FAQ claims baby safety, but CDC advises against oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD products on children under 3 years.
“DEET-free (and picaridin-free) plant-based formula”
Deet FreeStrongPer brand FAQ; consistent with all-botanical positioning.
“Dual-action designer eau de parfum + insect repellent ('ALL BUZZ, NO BITE')”
EfficacyWeakRepellency relies on an undisclosed essential-oil blend; no published efficacy data, concentrations, or duration; brand recommends hourly reapplication.
“Vegan, non-GMO, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS/SLES-free, all-natural”
NaturalModerateCompositional claims; cannot be fully verified because the blend is proprietary.
How to apply it
Shake well, then spray directly onto exposed skin and/or clothing. Reapply every hour or as often as needed, since the natural formula evaporates over time. For the face, spray into hands and blot lightly, avoiding eyes, lips, and mouth; wash hands after handling. For children, apply more heavily to clothing and away from the face.