the BUZZ skin
BUZZ Rose 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 soft floral rose eau de parfum that smells genuinely nice.
Cons
- No disclosed strength and no proven repellency, so this is fragrance, not protection.
- Likely not EPA-compliant as a repellent.
The full review
A soft floral rose that genuinely smells nice, this performs as a perfume rather than a repellent you can trust, so it lands a not recommended. The active concentration is buried in a proprietary blend, leaving our model nothing to model a protection time from and the effectiveness pillar at the very bottom. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is named as the active, but it is not 25(b)-eligible, so the unregistered sale is difficult to defend, and the brand's own hourly-reapply advice shows how briefly it works. Of the audited marketing claims, only one rates strong against several weak and unsupported ones, which keeps the evidence pillar low. Safety is the strongest pillar yet still notes sensitization, irritation, pregnancy, and an under-3 caution.
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; includes Damascena rose oil per scent notes) · 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, small batch, ethically sourced and manufactured”
NaturalWeakBrand marketing claim.
“Suitable for all skin types”
SafetyModerateStated on brand product page.
“All-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.
“Dual-action rose perfume + insect repellent”
EfficacyWeakRepellency relies on an undisclosed essential-oil blend; no published efficacy data, concentrations, or duration; brand recommends hourly reapplication.
“DEET-free (and picaridin-free) plant-based formula”
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. The brand suggests layering over the Rose Body Glow Oil for added protection.