6 Natural Mosquito Repellants That Are as Stylish as They Are Smart

Whether stargazing lakeside this summer, or tandem biking at twilight, you’ll no doubt find yourself cursing mosquitoes for the total buzzkills they are. Drawn to our inherent scent—a mix of carbon dioxide and sweat-derived lactic acid—the supremely irritating bloodsuckers can seem to leave little recourse beyond bombing your body with DEET, which despite its unappealing smell, is, admittedly, “one of the most effective insect repellents we have,” says the New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. Lest you doubt exactly how hardcore it is, here’s a refresher on DEET’s backstory: the United States Army developed it in the forties to protect jungle-entrenched troops from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Today, “it remains an important option for those venturing into highly infested areas,” adds physician Jeffrey Morrison, an integrative medicine specialist in New York City.

While the ingredient has been linked to unanswered questions of potential neurotoxicity, a recent review by the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that DEET poses no threat to health with normal use. Still, those who prefer to steer clear of chemicals in their beauty routines may choose to consider an alternative. Fortunately, this summer’s best natural formulas happen to look as good spilling out of a backpack as they do lying on a poolside deck chair.

Among nonchemical alternatives, lemon eucalyptus oil boasts the most data, yet studies support a host of other essential oils, too—many of which are turning up in a lineup of effective sprays, soaps, and oils that combat bugs while hydrating or treating the skin. Beekman 1802 Bug Repellent Bar blends goat’s milk, coconut oil, and citronella eucalyptus into a solid soap that’s smartly divided into take-along squares, which can be rubbed on arms or legs, wet or dry. And its creamy base does more than moisturize: Fatty acid-rich plant oils, like coconut and soy, help repel insects while simultaneously slowing the evaporation of any essential oils they’re mixed with, making them more potent for longer, notes Morrison. A cool, quenching body balm, Patio Oil Backyard Formula also packs good fats, plus lemon eucalyptus oil. In Meow Meow Tweet Herbal Insect Repellent—a skin-and-hair mist redolent of window boxes in full bloom—geranium, citronella, and cedar vinegar tangle with toning witch hazel and lavender water.

They may be more appropriate for dining outdoors in the urban jungle than hiking through unspoiled terrain, but these pretty, all-natural formulas promise to save your skin without offending your more stylish sensibilities. Let the glamping begin.

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