the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Nantucket 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 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.
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.