Natural Bug Spray: A Safer Alternative to Conventional Options
Mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies are not only a nuisance but also a potential health hazard in many parts of the world. While conventional bug sprays like OFF!® are effective, they often contain synthetic chemicals that can be harmful to humans and pets. In recent years, there has been a growing buzz about natural bug spray as a safer alternative.
Natural bug sprays use plant-based ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and peppermint to repel bugs. These ingredients are generally considered safe for humans and the environment. However, it is important to note that natural bug sprays may not be as effective as their conventional counterparts and may need to be reapplied more frequently. In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of natural bug spray and provide recommendations for the best natural bug sprays on the market.
The Best Non-Toxic Bug Sprays For Humans to Naturally Stop the Itch
When it comes to bug sprays, many people are looking for natural and non-toxic options to protect themselves from pesky insects. Here are some of the best non-toxic bug sprays that are effective and safe for humans to use.
1. Kinfield
Kinfield’s All-Natural Insect Repellent Spray is a clean bug spray that uses a unique and highly effective strain of Indonesian citronella plus lemongrass essential oil, clove essential oil, lauric acid, and vanilla. The DEET-free bug repellent manages to smell incredible to humans and repulsive to all the bugs we want at bay. This non-toxic mosquito spray is perfect for outdoor activities and is paraben free, phthalate free, sulfate free, cruelty-free, vegan, and kid-friendly. The spray is easy to use and should be applied every two hours.
Kinfield is committed to sustainability and offers a packaging recycled program and recycling directory of other brands who offer recycling programs. They’re also Plastic Neutral, members of 1% for the Planet, Hawaii Reef Compliant, and ship waste-free while also using Corso as a shipping carbon offset.
2. Badger
Badger’s Natural Insect Repellent is a tried, tested, true formula that has buzzworthy gumption thanks to its proprietary essential oil blend of cedarwood, citronella, and lemongrass. The natural oil insect repellent uses only cruelty-free, and organic or natural ingredients. Its base of organic castor oil and extra virgin olive oil moisturize and protect sensitive skin, while organic citronella oil, cedarwood, and lemongrass repel mosquitoes. The formula also features organic rosemary oil and organic geranium oil, making it the best organic bug spray for humans. Badger bug spray balm comes packaged in a reusable or recyclable aluminum tin, and ships in packaging made from recycled content that is also recyclable.
Badger is a longstanding Certified B Corp company providing organic body care products for nearly thirty years. They’re also fair trade, USDA Organic, and NSF certified. The brand provides generous benefits to workers as well as 10% of pre-tax profits to charity.
3. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet’s All-Natural Bug Spray is a natural insect repellent spray that is worth chirping about. The botanical insect repellent uses only plant-based natural ingredients for repelling insects. Featuring certified organic lavender hydrosol and oil, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, and pine needle oil, it masks our natural human scents that bugs love, which is why it has multipurpose uses as underarm and foot deodorizer. The cedar essential oil specifically prevents tick bites.
Meow Meow Tweet helps make it easy for all people to choose plastic free, vegan, and zero waste skincare products. Everything is small-batch crafted, featuring unrefined plant oils and cold-pressed essential oils to create fresh and next-to-nature products. The brand is committed to low waste and the development of circular systems, plus their packaging is made from either compostable paper, glass, or recyclable metal. They’re also certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and Plastic Negative Certified through rePurpose Global.
4. By Robin Creations
By Robin Creations’ Non-Toxic Insect Repellent is the best non-toxic bug spray that is entirely plant-based and features natural pest control essential oils like citronella oil, peppermint oil, geranium oil, sweet basil oil, and lemon eucalyptus oil. Choose between their Vegan Bug & Mosquito Repellent Spray or Vegan Bug & Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bars. While the lotion comes in a reusable or recyclable tin, the spray comes in a refillable glass bottle.
By Robin Creations is a small business that creates eco-friendly perfume and non-toxic insect repellent. They are committed to using natural and organic ingredients and packaging that is sustainable and reusable.
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Why Choose Non-Toxic Bug Spray?
When it comes to bug spray, many people opt for traditional options that contain harmful chemicals like DEET and picaridin. However, the use of these chemicals can harm not only bugs but also the environment and humans. As a result, non-toxic bug spray has become increasingly popular. Here are some reasons why you should choose non-toxic bug spray:
DEET:
DEET is a highly effective ingredient in many insect repellents, but it can also be harmful. Exposure to DEET during pregnancy can lead to low birth weights and potentially twisted birth defects. Additionally, DEET is a neurotoxin and can cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, encephalopathy, seizure, comas, and ataxia. Studies have also associated DEET with testicular cancer in men who use insect repellent for 115 days or longer.
Picaridin:
Picaridin is another commonly used chemical in insect repellents. While the EPA concludes that normal use of picaridin does not present a health concern, it is classified as a Category III toxin. Picaridin is a synthetic created from a molecule in pepper plants. Its safety is not well studied yet, but it has been legal for use in the US since 2005.
Choosing non-toxic bug spray can help you repel bugs effectively without the use of harmful chemicals. This is especially important for children, pets, and the environment. Non-toxic bug spray can effectively repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies without the use of DEET or picaridin. The EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using non-toxic bug spray to prevent the spread of diseases like Zika and Lyme disease.
Overall, non-toxic bug spray is a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bug sprays that contain harmful chemicals.
How We Chose The Best Natural Bug Sprays
When it comes to natural bug sprays, there are countless options available, each with varying degrees of effectiveness. To help narrow down the choices, the team at [Brand Name] took a close look at several key factors to determine the best natural insect repellents for skin.
Non-Toxic Ingredients
One of the most important factors in selecting a natural bug spray is the use of non-toxic ingredients. Chemicals like DEET can be harmful to both humans and the environment, so we looked for products that relied on natural solutions instead. Essential oils, such as citronella oil and lemongrass, were key components in many of the sprays we tested.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free
At [Brand Name], we believe in ethical and sustainable beauty practices. That’s why we made sure to select bug sprays that were both vegan and cruelty-free. While some products did contain beeswax, we avoided any animal byproducts or testing.
Palm Oil-Free
While we recognize that boycotting palm oil isn’t always the best solution, we made sure to select products that were palm oil-free whenever possible. When sustainable palm oil was used, it was always RSPO-certified.
Ethical Sourcing
We also took into consideration the ethical sourcing of ingredients. We looked for brands that were transparent about where their ingredients came from and how they were obtained.
Thoughtful Packaging
Finally, we preferred products with thoughtful packaging. We looked for sprays that were plastic-free, compostable, reusable, or made from recycled materials.
Final Thoughts On The Best Natural Insect Repellent For Skin
After careful consideration, we’ve determined that the best natural insect repellents for skin are those that harness the power of essential oils and other natural ingredients. While there may be some trial and error involved in finding the right product for your specific needs, we believe that any of the sprays on our list will help keep you protected from pesky bugs.
So the next time you’re heading outdoors, be sure to pack a natural bug spray in your bag. And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow outdoor enthusiasts when they ask, “Is there any safe bug spray?”
