The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc Off 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 skin-soothing aloe and chamomile spray built on roughly 8% PMD, with a cooling finish.
Cons
- Sold without the required EPA registration, so it falls short of our bar.
- Only 1 to 3 hours of protection, and PMD can irritate skin.
The full review
Bloc Off pairs 8% PMD with lemon eucalyptus and cedarwood oils and backs itself with a bite-through guarantee, but it still lands a not recommended, and the core problem is regulatory. PMD at 8% is not eligible for the FIFRA 25(b) exemption, so selling it without EPA registration is potentially noncompliant. The formula models 1 to 3 hours of complete mosquito protection and about 0.5 to 2 hours against ticks, real coverage for a short stretch outdoors, and transparency is the top pillar on full active disclosure. Two strong audited claims sit against two unsupported ones, which holds the evidence pillar back, while safety reflects PMD sensitization risk, an under-3 warning, and a pregnancy caution. The 6+ hours figure measures repellency rather than bite-free time, and the labeled 5.5-hour reapply interval is an overpromise against its real protection.
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%49Cedarwood 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: 2 strong, 5 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-3). 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: 2 strong, 5 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-3). 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%93This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); 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 50% of all ingredient concentrations (+8); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- p-Menthane-3,8-diolActive
Active repellent · 8%
- Cedarwood oilActive
Active repellent · 0.5%
- Oil of Lemon EucalyptusActive
Active repellent · 1%
- 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
- Water
Inert (carrier) · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Classified by the EPA as a 25(b) Exempt Minimum Risk Pesticide”
NaturalModerateStated across brand materials; consistent with non-EPA-registered status.
“Paraben-free”
NaturalStrongListed in formula specs on the Bloc Off product page.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and biting flies”
EfficacyModerateFAQ lists gnats and biting flies in addition to mosquitoes and ticks.
“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.
“Safe for babies 6 months and older”
Kid SafeUnsupportedContradicts CDC/EPA guidance that OLE/PMD products should not be used on children under 3 years.
“8% plant-based PMD derived from lemon eucalyptus”
EfficacyModeratePMD at 8% has a dose adequacy of only 0.27 against the ~30% studied effective dose, yielding ~1–3 h complete mosquito protection.
“6+ hours lab-tested protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects”
DurationModeratePlausible for 8% PMD and backed by a money-back guarantee, but the lab data is not published and the product is not EPA-reviewed; brand 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.
“DEET-free and alcohol-free formula with no synthetic repellents or added fragrance”
Deet FreeStrongConsistent with the full disclosed ingredient list.
How to apply it
Spray or rub evenly on all exposed skin, including spots like behind the ears, ankles, and wrists. Reapply every 5-6 hours, or more often after sweating or swimming or in hot, humid climates. For children, apply with adult supervision, do not apply to children's hands, and patch-test a small area of skin first.