Bug Off - All Natural Insect Repellent

I made this one out of pure personal necessity! Here in the California desert, the weather is mostly hot and dry. For a few months of the year we get rains that bring out my dreaded nemesis….the Aedes Mosquito. This tiny mosquito wreaks havoc on my ankles and leaves me itching so much, from a distance I look like I have fleas. Of course, I tried over the counter bug spray. I was immediately horrified while when out on plant gathering hike, parts of my backpack where the repellent was sprayed actually began to disintegrate! The plastic was melting from the bug spray! What was this doing to my body?! We absorb everything through our skin. What chemicals was I absorbing?

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Ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Rosemary.

After some careful research, and some itchy months of personal testing, I found my winning formula. Bug Off, my plant-based insect repellent, is inspired by an Aboriginal Australian formula. I use it every day in the rainy hot months and it has been a lifesaver for me. A little goes a long way and it has a pleasant citrusy eucalyptus scent to it. I also add some vegetable glycerine to it so it doesn’t dry out your skin. Try it out and don’t be afraid to go outside again!

For another purpose-built formula, see the compact ingredient approach behind Bauer Power.

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