What’s in mosquito repellent?

Mosquito repellent - it’s one of those things we use every summer without thinking too much about it. But what’s in mosquito repellent?

One ingredient you may have heard of is DEET - it’s found in many insect repellents and while it does the job, there are a host of undesirable side effects that come along for the ride. DEET is a registered pesticide and regular exposure can lead to memory loss, headache, weakness, fatigue and a whole host of other symptoms.
But there’s a better way! Our Good Riddance Tropical Repellent is a DEET-free option that repels mosquitoes without the nasty chemicals.

So, what’s in our natural mosquito repellent?

One thing we’re absolutely passionate about here at Good Riddance is using natural ingredients to repel mosquitoes. Some of our products have different combinations of active ingredients, depending on what we’re trying to achieve.

So, what’s in mosquito repellent?

You’ll notice that none of our products have just one active ingredient. That’s because, while these ingredients are good on their own, they’re GREAT in combination. Jeannie, the founder and product creator, has put heaps of work into finding just the right combination of active ingredients to get the best possible results in our natural insect repellent. Here we’ll talk some more about what’s in mosquito repellent and why we’ve chosen these natural ingredients.

Cymbopogon spp

Better known as lemongrass, cymbopogon is one of the most widely used essential oils for repelling insects. It works an absolute treat and smells fantastic to boot.

Lemon Tea Tree (sometimes known as Melaleuca)

Lemon Tea Tree oil is made from steaming leaves from the tea tree. Like cymbopogon spp, it smells amazing and is a natural mosquito repellent.

Lavender

Lavender is a great choice for sensitive skin - it makes for a gentler product, but still has those mosquito-repelling super powers we love.

Rosemary, Peppermint

These are common herbs you’re probably already familiar with - they have some insect repelling abilities as well as being a delicious ingredient in your dinner. Fun fact - if you’re looking to keep the insects away from your outdoor area, try planting rosemary and peppermint in the area - they’ll help discourage bugs and look gorgeous. Peppermint also has cooling properties to help soothe existing bites.

Clove

Another great smelling ingredient, clove is included in our Rescue Balm for its amazing numbing properties. Perfect for when you’ve got a bug bite to soothe.

Helichrysum 

Arguably the prettiest of all our natural ingredients, helichrysum is a dainty flower sometimes known as Paper Daisy or Everlasting. As well as being gorgeous, helichrysums  have a soothing, calming effect and are a perfect choice for irritated skin, which is why they’re a star ingredient in our Rescue Balm

Cream Base

One unusual thing about our insect repellent is that it comes in a cream formulation, rather than a spray. This formula is rich in shea butter and beeswax, which helps keep the essential oils from evaporating, meaning you don’t need to reapply as often as you might with other products. It’s also helpful in providing a physical barrier between your skin and the bugs trying to bite you. Plus, as an added bonus, it’s good for your skin, giving it that extra moisture you just don’t get from spray repellents.

It takes a lot of work to decide what’s in mosquito repellent and what will work best, both in terms of repelling insects and being kind to your skin. This lineup of natural active ingredients is our absolute favourite!