The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Spray
Spray · No regulatory claim stated by the brand; not EPA-registered, and its 8% PMD active is not eligible for the FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk exemption
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Pros
- A soothing aloe, glycerin, and chamomile base with a cooling peppermint feel.
- Discloses its actives, built on 8% PMD, an evidence-backed repellent compound.
Cons
- Sold without the EPA registration these actives need, which is why we can't recommend it.
- Short protection, 1 to 3 hours, and PMD can irritate sensitive skin.
The full review
The most capable product in this batch is still a not recommended, and the sticking point is regulatory. Built on 8% PMD with supporting lemon eucalyptus and cedarwood oils, the formula models a genuine 1 to 3 hours of complete mosquito protection and roughly 0.5 to 2 hours against ticks, useful for a cookout or an evening out, but 8% PMD is not eligible for the FIFRA 25(b) exemption, so selling it without EPA registration is potentially noncompliant. Transparency is the strongest pillar thanks to full active disclosure, and the evidence pillar is solid, with three strong audited claims and none rated weak. Safety holds up despite PMD sensitization risk, an under-3 warning, and a pregnancy caution. The brand's 6+ hours measures repellency rather than bite-free time, and our audit flags the roughly 5.5-hour reapply interval as an overpromise against how long it actually protects.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%68Mosquitoes: 1–3 h of complete protection. Ticks: 0.5–2 h of complete protection. 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 reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 1–3 h of complete protection. Ticks: 0.5–2 h of complete protection. 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 reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%61Cedarwood oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 9 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 5 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (+9). Labels a reapplication interval (~every 5.5 h) longer than its measured protection — an overpromise (−4).
Cedarwood oil is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 9 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 5 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (+9). Labels a reapplication interval (~every 5.5 h) longer than its measured protection — an overpromise (−4).
Safety15%66From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: moderate skin-sensitization risk from p-Menthane-3,8-diol at 8% (−10); moderate irritation risk from Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus at 1% (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (p-Menthane-3,8-diol) (−8); 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: moderate skin-sensitization risk from p-Menthane-3,8-diol at 8% (−10); moderate irritation risk from Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus at 1% (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (p-Menthane-3,8-diol) (−8); caution advised in pregnancy (−6); moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%92This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 44% of all ingredient concentrations (+7); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 44% of all ingredient concentrations (+7); 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 (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~5 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~4 h as repellency decays.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 44% of all ingredient concentrations (+7); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- Cedarwood oilActive
Active repellent · 0.5%
- p-Menthane-3,8-diolActive
Active repellent · 8%
- Oil of Lemon EucalyptusActive
Active repellent · 1%
- Water
Inert (carrier) · concentration not disclosed
- Aloe barbadensis extract
Inert (skin soothing) · concentration not disclosed
- Juniper berry oil
Other ingredient (not an approved repellent active) · 0.5%
- Chamomile oil
Inert (skin soothing) · concentration not disclosed
- Glycerin
Inert (humectant) · concentration not disclosed
- Peppermint oil
Inert (cooling agent) · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and biting flies”
EfficacyModerateFAQ specifies gnats and biting flies in addition to mosquitoes/ticks.
“Paraben-free”
NaturalStrongListed in formula specs on the product page.
“Classified by the EPA as a 25(b) Exempt Minimum Risk Pesticide”
NaturalModerateStated in brand materials/collections; consistent with non-EPA-registered plant repellent positioning.
“Juniper berry oil is marketed in this product but is not an EPA-registered repellent active or on the EPA 25(b) minimum-risk approved active list”
EfficacyUnsupportedReclassified as an inert/fragrance ingredient during data audit; not a recognized repellent active.
“Peppermint cooling sensation”
OtherStrongPeppermint oil is disclosed in the formula; cooling is a standard menthol effect.
“6+ hours lab-tested protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects”
DurationModeratePlausible for 8% PMD and the brand claims independent lab testing, but the data is not published and the product is not EPA-reviewed; the brand's own FAQ recommends reapplying every 5-6 hours.
“CDC-recognized PMD — 'the only plant-based active the CDC endorses'”
OtherModerateCDC does recommend OLE/PMD among repellent actives; however CDC recommends EPA-registered products, and this product is unregistered.
“8% plant-based PMD derived from lemon eucalyptus”
EfficacyModeratePMD is disclosed at 8%, but that is only ~0.27 dose adequacy against an ~30% effective dose, yielding ~1–3 h complete mosquito protection.
“DEET-free and alcohol-free formula”
Deet FreeStrongConsistent with the full disclosed ingredient list.
How to apply it
Spray evenly on all exposed skin, including easily missed spots like behind the ears, ankles, and wrists. Reapply every 5-6 hours, or more often after sweating or swimming or in hot, humid conditions. For children, apply with adult supervision, do not apply to children's hands, and patch-test on a small area of skin first.