Bugs can be pesky, but no matter how much we dread them, we shouldn’t have to soak ourselves in irritating chemicals to keep them at bay. That’s why we’re taking today to talk about our own Real Purity Herbal Insect & Bug Repellent, a gentle, non-irritating spray that works to effectively repel bugs. Wondering what we put in it to make it so effective? Read on to see which bug-repelling essential oils we’ve chosen for our formula and why.
 
Cedrus Atlantica (Cedar Wood) Oil: Originally derived from conifer trees in the pine and/or cypress families, this oil possesses anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Although it has many medical and industrial uses, this oil has always been well-known for its ability to repel bugs, using techniques like killing bugs through dehydration, neutralizing bug bodily fluids and inhibiting their ability to breathe.

Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella) Oil: Citronella oil, because of it’s prevalence in tiki torches and tabletop candles, is perhaps one of the best known bug-repelling essential oils. One of its particular benefits is keeping away a particular mosquito breed (the Aedes Aegypti ) which causes yellow fever. If you want to stock up on this particular essential oil, keep in mind that it’s also antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, deodorant and fungicidal, making it a particularly useful essential oil for extended periods of time in the woods.

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil*: Rosemary is not just an herb for your next marinade – it’s also an extremely effective, flowering plant that can keep mosquitos and other bugs at bay. If you want to keep them out of your house as well as away from your skin, you can place rosemary essential oil around windows and doors to stop a variety of bugs from coming into your home.

Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil: Eucalyptus is a great compliment to other essential oils, like citronella and cedar wood, but is also a more unfamiliar oil to bugs – which, luckily for you, can make them think it’s hazardous. Although all of these essential oils have additional uses, however, keep in mind that eucalyptus can be flammable and direct contact with skin can cause irritation.

Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass) Oil*: Lemongrass is both anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, which makes it another great addition for your camping bag, but it’s also terrific at keeping bugs away from you while walking or hiking. Try applying the essential oil to your clothing edges, which will help repel ticks, or dabbing onto exposed skin to keep away biting flies and insects.

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*: Lavender oil is one of our favorite essential oils, which is why we include it in so many of our body care & skin care products. Not only is it extraordinarily therapeutic, but it is analgesic, insecticidal, antiseptic and calming. While this oil, like others in this list, keeps bugs in the background, it has the added benefit of soothing insect bites and stings that have already occurred.

Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil: Although the effectiveness of the above essential oils can vary from person to person, patchouli comes with a clinical recommendation. According to a study from the National Center for Biotechnology, undiluted patchouli oil did provide 2 hours of complete repellency. It can also be used to inhibit the onset of bed bugs, ants, fleas and other creeping and crawling bugs.
 
Looking for an existing solution that uses a blend of bug-repelling essential oils? Try out the Real Purity Herbal Insect & Bug Repellent, which uses all of the above oils (along with water and kosher vegetable glycerin) to keep you bite and itch-free.