the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Nantucket Eau de Parfum + Bug Repellent
Spray · Not EPA-registered; 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 breezy, coastal-inspired eau de parfum with a clean summer scent.
Cons
- Fragrance first: a proprietary blend with no disclosed strength and no proven protection.
- Likely not EPA-compliant as a repellent.
The full review
This breezy, coastal-inspired eau de parfum is lovely as a scent but unreliable as a repellent, which keeps it in the not recommended column. With the active concentration locked inside an undisclosed proprietary blend, our model cannot put a number on protection, and the effectiveness pillar sits at the floor. The brand cites oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active, yet OLE is not 25(b)-eligible, so the unregistered status is questionable, and the call to reapply hourly underlines a short-lived barrier. Safety is the best of its pillars while still noting sensitization, irritation, pregnancy, and under-3 cautions. Treat it as perfume and it delivers; treat it as bite protection and it does not.
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%37Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 43). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-6).
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 5 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-6).
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.
“Suitable for all skin types”
SafetyModerateStated on brand product page.
“Dual-action perfume + insect repellent in one”
EfficacyWeakRepellency relies on an undisclosed essential-oil blend; no published efficacy data, concentrations, or duration; brand recommends hourly reapplication.
“100% natural; vegan, non-GMO, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS/SLES-free”
NaturalModerateCompositional claims; cannot be fully verified because the blend is proprietary.
“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 without 'nasty toxins'”
Deet FreeStrongPer brand FAQ; consistent with all-botanical positioning.
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 Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Mainly from Proprietary essential oil blend (undisclosed).
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →