1. Bugmace All Natural Mosquito & Insect Repellent

This organic plant based formula gives you repellent protection instantly. It is priced in line with other mosquito repellent sprays and smells very nice, which is a rarity when it comes to insect repellents. The formula consists of a blend of plant based oils proven to ward off most nuisance mosquitoes and insects and it goes on smooth and color free. The lemongrass and vanilla fragrance is strong at first, but does blend down as it forms a protective shield around you.

Comparing this to other repellents, this one has a very high level of active ingredients and is not mostly comprised of water like some others we found. Albeit, when searching for a natural mosquito repellent, one of the most important things you need to look for is potency and safety. Luckily, this product fills both requirements having a strong blend of plant based repellents and none of the harsh ingredients found in chemical based products such as DEET, Permethrin etc.

This repellent comes in several different convenient sizes including a 2, 4 and 8 oz. bottle. And, the smaller 2 and 4 oz. are great for travelers as you won’t run into problems at the airport with the smaller sizes.

Mosquito repellents for children are hard to find these days even though they are more important than ever. And unlike some of the eucalyptus and other chemical based products that are not to be used on children under 3 years of age, this product can be used on very small children as it is safe and not absorbed into the body like DEET. As a bonus, it doesn’t have the chemical or citronella smell and is safe for pets too. [Read full reviews]

2. Burt’S Bees All-Natural Herbal Insect Repellent

If you want to avoid chemical formulated mosquito repellents but need to make sure you are going to be protected, this one is for you. It has a formidable blend of natural oils and provides solid protection for several hours without the odor associated with DEET and the like.

This formula is all natural and safe for children and pets too. And, Burt’S Bees is pH Balanced, contains no phthalates or parabens and is a biodegradable formula. The product sprays out in more of a ‘stream’ type pattern as opposed to a spray. It seems like this is most likely due to the fact that it’s entirely made of oils acting as active and inert ingredients. So, containing 100% oil, this spray tends to give off an oily feel but most users were ‘ok’ with that so long as the repellent gave them protection from bugs – which it does! [Read full reviews]

3. Cutter Natural* Insect Repellent

This popular product comes in a sleek spray bottle offering serious mosquito protection. It controls mosquitoes and insects for several hours and has a rose scented fragrance. Ever flexible, you can use it while camping, hiking or on the beach where pesky sand fleas enjoy YOU as their afternoon lunch.

The main repellents listed on the label are Geraniol and Soybean Oil that discourage insects from entering your space. And since there are so many different essential oils used in natural lotions and most do provide various degrees of shielding against insects, the top ingredient in this lotion (Geraniol) assures you that you aren’t on the buffet.

The combination of repellents and sufficient water content allow for a smooth feel after application, which is nice. And, you will not experience the tacky-oily sensation that some other repellents exhibit. The solution goes on as a white spray mist and blends in well after rubbing into your skin.

Like others reviewed here, this too is a non-staining formula so there shouldn’t be too much concern getting the formula on your clothes. But, better safe than sorry – so, be sure to test a small amount before you risk spraying down your best ‘On the Town’ outfit.

As a global company, Cutter is well known for offering a full line of mosquito and insect repellents that are chemical based. And with several different repellents including various concentrations of DEET, Picaridin and lemon eucalyptus, it is nice to see that this company has decided to release a natural repellent for the growing majority of people trying to stay away from chemical based solutions.

Cutter Natural* Insect Repellent is a proven product that shields against mosquitoes. It works well, isn’t oily and does what it is intended to do. [Read full reviews]

4. OUT! Natural Care Mosquito Repellent

OUT! Natural Care Mosquito Repellent is another essential oil based product containing lemongrass oil and geraniol, shown to keep bugs and insects at bay. Containing 93% water, this spray does not feel very oily and doesn’t pose a problem with staining or tackiness since only about 7% of the active ingredients are present.

It is kind of neat that the spray bottle is capable of spraying upside-down and in a 360 degree motion so you won’t have to worry about getting just the right angle to have your spray come out. This formula is listed as safe for children 2 years of age or older, and for pets that are older than 12 months of age. You need to shake well before application and reapply as needed after every two hours. Comprised of natural plant extracts, it is DEET free and contains no other harsh chemicals or pesticides like picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Out! comes in a 12 oz. container that will last a good while and you will have enough to protect the entire family many times over. With 2 active ingredients, this product offers a solid repellent factor and the fact that it is all natural is a big plus. [Read full reviews]

5. EcoSMART Organic Personal Insect Repellent

Organic and natural, EcoSMART Organic Personal Insect Repellent also includes some pretty well known plant based mosquito and insect repellents and does a fine job keeping pesky insects at bay.

Steering clear of DEET, picaridin and Lemon Eucalyptus pesticides, EcoSMART botanical formulas only use natural ingredients that have strong repellency characteristics to ward off new bugs from entering your area. It is great to be able to protect your skin and the area around you with a solution that permeates around your ‘zone’.

Smart consumers have been searching for years for a practical solution that can do the job without the potential risk of adding odd sounding chemicals to their skin. Plant based repellents are all the rave lately, especially with mosquitoes now carrying more than just an annoying “Bite”.

This product is also safe around children and pets and will not contaminate groundwater. It contains blends of essential plant oils that work by blocking specific neural pathways called Octopamine receptors. These ‘sensors’ only exist in insects so, they have no problem smelling the formula – and staying away! [Read full reviews]

6. Repel 100 Insect Repellent

The EPA registered Repel 100 Insect Repellent contains 98.11% DEET and contains the highest concentration on DEET we could find. The manufacturer claims that this product provides protection against mosquitoes for up to 10 full hours due to it’s ultra-high concentration of active DEET. For many, maximum chemical protection is a must especially in the ever-expanding ZIKA zones across the globe. With that being said, this product does not provide sweat protection. So, for those using it under such conditions, frequent re-application is a must.

Repel 100 Insect Repellent ward off all kinds of insects such as mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks and biting flies. And following suit with other repellent manufacturers, Repel comes in various sizes large enough to shield your entire family, and smaller sizes for travel.

Keep in mind, if you are not a big fan of DEET, you may want to pass on this one as it is extremely potent. But for the brave, this powerhouse is unmatched in DEET strength and keeps even the nastiest of biting insects at bay. [Read full reviews]

7. Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin

Sawyer’s Premium Insect Repellent with Picaridin holds a very solid reputation for keeping biting and annoying insects far away. With various convenient sizes of this product available, those on-the-go will find instant relief as well as those planning the vacation of a lifetime. This formidable EPA registered pesticide contains the active ingredient ‘Picaridin’ which competes heavily with other chemical based products such as DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Different from DEET, this product has little to no odor other than the initial ‘bust’ of fragrance that accompanies practically all capable repellents.

Talk about long lasting too! This product is known to outlast DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and can repel ticks and mosquitoes for up to 12 hours. And of course, other biting and flying insects are swatted away for about 8 hours. Picaridin goes on clear and once rubbed in, it is for the most part, unnoticeable. It has a clear, colorless texture and dries fast without any oily or tacky sensation.

This repellent is not harmful to gear or most other equipment so it’s multiple uses are a nice trait. And because it is safe for gear, many campers and hikers stock up on it before starting their journey. [Read full reviews]

8. OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent

The original OFF! Deep Woods Repellent has been around for ages. Nearly everyone has tried this product at least once or twice during a mosquito attack and with a long history of refining their formula, this manufacturer knows how to chase away mosquitoes and insects. With 25% DEET listed as it’s active ingredient, OFF! provides hours of protection just when you need it most. As a fast acting repellent, this product guards against mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and most other bothersome insects and is safe for your entire family when used as directed.

The EPA maintains stringent control over chemical based repellents and does not condone exaggerative claims and promises regarding product performance. That being said, this product was approved as an EPA registered pesticide and guards against attacks consistent with its labeling. OFF! is not overwhelming in the odor department and while it does have a chemical scent, it’s not overcoming and dulls down as it soaks into your skin.

Packaged in assorted sizes, this product makes for a great companion for your next African safari adventure, or one closer to home such as mowing the lawn. [Read full reviews]

9. Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent

Ready to fight back mosquito attacks and go easy on the DEET? Well, then Cutter Backwoods Unscented Insect Repellent might just be exactly what you are looking for. This 25% DEET formula stays on pretty well when sweating and in humid conditions. This product is formulated to be ‘unscented’, which means that the manufacturer has not added any fragrances to mask or enhance the smell of the formula. Even so, the odor is about the same as any other DEET based aerosol spray with this level of concentration.

Perfect for cookouts and camping trips, Cutter does a fine job keeping away mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks and most general flying and biting insects. The label states that this product protects for up to 10 full hours which is provided peace of mind for those planning on spending a lot of time outdoors. Keep in mind though, while the label may claim a specific protection time, it is always best to use your own observation when applying any insect repellent. While some people may experience the full protection time listed on the manufacturers label, others find that natural and chemical based repellents rarely live up to the label claims. So, personal experience should always overrule label claims as far as repellency duration is concerned.

We located 3 different sizes available ranging from the convenient ‘pen’ size which is great as a personal carry item, to the larger aerosol size spray can for larger areas or multiple person protection. [Read full reviews]

10. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent is one of the hottest selling mosquito repellents year over year. While it is labeled as an EPA registered Bio-Pesticide, it is considered by many to be an excellent alternative to DEET and Picaridin as it contains compounds extracted from eucalyptus trees. The primary repellent ingredient in this product is Lemon eucalyptus, a potent insect repellent extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree.

The scent it produces is very strong and effectively keeps the mosquitos at bay. A single application lasts for hours and fends off a combination of insects that can cause life- threatening diseases like sand flies, ticks, flies, and midges and mosquitoes. While the repellent produces a strong smell to its users, the benefits outweighed the risks since it scares the mosquitos away and keeps then out of sight for a decent amount of time.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent is made of 30% oil from lemon eucalyptus. The other ingredients are ethanol, a hydrocarbon propellant, and isoparaffin. The broad spectrum insect repellent is almost as effective as DEET based products and is less toxic on clothes and gear. The reason why the product is rated at an average of 4.0 is that the ethanol ingredients are irritating to the eye, and its use is restricted to children above the age of 3. [Read full reviews]