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Best Non-Toxic Bug Sprays

We vetted bug sprays against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

Formulas made with natural or synthetic ingredients that meet our standard
Free from parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, and undisclosed fragrance
Minimal, well-chosen preservatives
Trusted third-party certifications when available
Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices

Best Non-Toxic Bug Sprays

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Doterra TerraShield Essential Oil Outdoor Blend

Meets the Welpr Standard

Top Pick

Doterra

TerraShield Essential Oil Outdoor Blend

Highlights: Essential oil blend, For Both, 4 hrs

8.7

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Only a few drops are needed per application, whether applied directly to skin or diluted in a spray bottle.
The scent is pleasant enough that even kids don't mind wearing it.
Morning application lasts through a full day for most people, with a reapply in the evening for extended outdoor time.
Versatile application: works well as a direct drop on pulse points, in a roller with carrier oil, or diluted in a spray bottle with water.

Cons

Needs reapplication every 30 minutes or so in heavy mosquito environments to stay effective.
Spraying it directly on clothing can leave oil spots.

A blend of essential oils in a sesame seed oil base, applied directly to exposed skin to repel mosquitoes. The sesame seed oil serves a functional purpose: it helps the essential oils absorb better and makes the scent last longer on skin.
Comes in a 15 mL dropper bottle (not a spray). You dispense a few drops into your hands and rub onto skin or clothing. A separate 30 mL spray version is sold separately if you prefer that format.
The scent is fresh and woody with citrus and herbal notes. It doubles as a skin-soothing blend, so it doesn't just mask or repel; it's also meant to be pleasant on the skin itself.
Needs reapplication roughly every four hours, which is more frequent than synthetic repellents but typical for essential oil-based non-toxic bug sprays.
Marketed as safe for the whole family, though for young children the recommendation is to apply it to your own hands first and then transfer to the child rather than letting them handle the bottle.

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Meets the Welpr Standard

Budget Pick

Badger

Bug Repellent

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: Certified B Corp, USDA Organic
Highlights: Cruelty-free, Recyclable packaging, Recycled materials, Essential oil blend, For Skin, 3.5 hrs

8.4

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Effectively repels mosquitoes, midges, and gnats, even in high-bug areas near rivers and streams.
Only a small amount is needed per application; a light swipe across exposed skin (wrists, ankles, ears, neck) is enough.
Scent is strong enough to work but widely described as pleasant, with a lemongrass and cedar character that doesn't feel chemical.
The scent lasts around 4 to 5 hours before fading noticeably.
Compact tin is easy to carry in a pocket or purse.

Cons

The balm is firm in the tin and needs warming between your fingers before it softens enough to spread.
The 0.75 oz tin is physically very small; a few people were surprised by the size relative to the product images.
Full coverage requires deliberate application to all exposed skin, which takes more effort than a spray.

A balm, not a spray. You scoop it from a small metal tin and rub it directly onto exposed skin, which makes it mess-free and easy to control but slower to apply over large areas.
Lab-tested to repel mosquitoes and stable flies for roughly 1.5 to 3.5 hours, so you'll need to reapply more often than conventional DEET-based options.
The formula doubles as a skin softener since the base is olive oil and beeswax. It goes on smooth with a woody, citrusy scent rather than the chemical smell typical of most non-toxic bug sprays.
Compact enough for a pocket or daypack. The tin won't leak or melt, which solves the common problem of spray bottles bursting or getting sticky in a bag.
Badger does not recommend relying on this product for tick protection, so it's better suited for mosquito-heavy situations like camping, gardening, or backyard evenings than deep-woods hiking in tick country.
Made with solar power at Badger's facility in New Hampshire by a women-owned, family-run B Corp.

Meets the Welpr Standard

California Baby

Natural Bug Repellent Spray

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Made in USA, Recycled materials, Essential oil blend, For Both

8.6

Performance score

Where to buy

California Baby
See price

Pros

Keeps mosquitos away effectively; multiple people report zero bites even in heavy mosquito areas.
Smells pleasant, with a lemony, cedar-forward scent that people actively enjoy rather than tolerate.
Non-oily formula that doesn't leave a greasy feel on skin.
The pump bottle gives controlled, consistent application without aerosol spray.

Cons

Needs regular reapplication to stay effective, and protection can drop off after several days of heavy outdoor use in tropical climates.
The 2 oz bottle feels small relative to the cost.
The scent is strong, which most people like but worth knowing if you prefer something subtle.

Works by scent rather than chemical action: plant-based essential oils create a smell that mosquitoes avoid but humans find pleasant (citronella and lemongrass forward). Because repellency is scent-based, it fades faster than synthetic options and needs reapplying roughly every 30 minutes.
Safe for babies six months and up, and the whole family can use the same bottle. It's designed for head-to-toe application, including a light mist on hair.
Beyond repelling mosquitoes, the formula doubles as a skin soother for existing bug bites, using botanical ingredients to calm irritation.
The sprayer has a twist-lock mechanism, so it won't accidentally discharge in a bag. Available in a 2 oz travel size and a 6.5 oz bottle.
California Baby is one of the longer-running names in non-toxic bug sprays, around since 1995. The company grows its own calendula on a certified organic farm in Santa Barbara and manufactures everything in its own solar-powered, FDA-registered facility in Los Angeles.
Worth knowing: the brand itself notes that for high-mosquito environments like remote wooded or tropical areas, an essential oil spray may not be sufficient, and they recommend considering stronger repellents in those situations.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Primally Pure

Nature Spray

Highlights: Made in USA, Money-back guarantee, Essential oil blend, For Both

8.5

Performance score

Where to buy

Primally Pure
See price

An essential oil-based spray that works by masking the body's natural scents that attract insects, similar in mechanism to conventional repellents but using plant-derived oils instead of synthetic chemicals.
Covers mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and other insects. Among non-toxic bug sprays, most focus primarily on mosquitoes, so the broader coverage is worth noting.
The scent is herbal and citrusy (think lemongrass and peppermint), not the sharp chemical smell of conventional sprays. It also contains carrier oils like castor and coconut, so it leaves a slightly oily feel on the skin rather than a dry aerosol finish.
Not recommended for children under one year old, and Primally Pure suggests a spot test for kids and adults with sensitive skin before full use, since the essential oil blend is fairly potent.
Needs reapplication more frequently than synthetic options. Essential oil repellents generally don't last as long per application as their chemical counterparts, so plan to re-spray during extended outdoor time.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Stone & Spear

Bug Repellent Tallow Balm

Free From: Dye Free, Formaldehyde Free, Gluten Free, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, Sulfate Free
Highlights: Repels biting insects, DEET-free, Water-resistant barrier, Grass-fed tallow, For sensitive skin, Made in USA, Money-back guarantee

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Stone & Spear
See price

Citronella, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils handle the insect-repelling role, while grass-fed tallow moisturizes and soothes skin.
Beeswax forms a breathable, water-resistant seal that helps repel moisture and sweat while extending the repellent's effectiveness.
The solid balm format is made for targeted skin application, avoiding the dripping or leaking associated with sprays.
It has a crisp herbal-citrus aroma instead of a harsh chemical-smelling repellent scent.
The formula is suited to children and people with sensitive skin, and also hydrates skin while warding off mosquitoes, gnats, and other biting insects.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Badger

Anti-Bug Shake & Spray

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: Certified B Corp, USDA Organic
Highlights: Cruelty-free, Recyclable packaging, Money-back guarantee, Essential oil blend, For Skin, 4 hrs

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

The most-upvoted review (33 helpful votes) reports strong performance even in heavy mosquito environments like swamps and forests.
Scent is generally described as pleasant, though opinions vary on intensity.
Oil and water separate quickly, so shaking well before each use is important and noticeably improves effectiveness.

Cons

Effectiveness is inconsistent; several people found it didn't deter mosquitoes at all, even after multiple applications.
Needs reapplication frequently, with protection fading well before conventional repellents would.
The formula is oily on the skin, and oil can leak and trickle down the sides of the bottle.

An oil-and-water formula that separates at rest, which is how it self-preserves without synthetic stabilizers. You need to shake it well before each spray or you're mostly just misting water on yourself.
Repellency comes from a blend of essential oils rather than DEET or other synthetic chemicals. Lab testing showed roughly 3 to 4 hours of protection against mosquitoes and stable flies, though it hasn't been tested against ticks.
The scent is woody-citrus, more like an herbal outdoors smell than the sharp chemical note you get from conventional non-toxic bug sprays.
Comes in a pump spray (not a pressurized aerosol) housed in a recyclable aluminum bottle. Also available in a 2.7 oz size that's TSA-friendly.
Badger is a women-owned family business in New Hampshire that manufactures entirely with solar power. The facility runs at a 97% waste diversion rate.

Meets the Welpr Standard

Quantum Health

Buzz Away Extreme Insect Repellent

Highlights: Essential oil blend, For Skin

8.0

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Noticeably reduces mosquito and insect bites for most people, even in heavy-bug areas like Texas summers and wooded trails.
The 4 oz bottle is compact enough to travel with easily.
Works against a range of insects, including mosquitoes, ants, and deer flies.

Cons

Scent is polarizing; several people find it strong and unpleasant, while others enjoy it.
Needs frequent reapplication, especially when sweating or in rain.
Doesn't block bites completely; most people still get one or two bites per outing rather than zero.

Plant-based essential oils work by creating scents that insects find unpleasant or confusing, masking the human scents that naturally attract mosquitoes and ticks. It's a fundamentally different approach than synthetic repellents.
Non-greasy formula that sprays on like water rather than leaving an oily film. The scent is herbal and citrusy, with noticeable citronella and peppermint plus hints of clove and thyme.
Tested specifically against mosquitoes and ticks through both independent field testing and lab research. It's not a broad-spectrum repellent for all insects, so expectations should be set accordingly.
Comes in three sizes, including a 2 oz that's TSA-approved, making it one of the more packable options among non-toxic bug sprays.
Quantum Health is a family-owned company based in Eugene, Oregon that's been in the natural products space since 1981. They started with cold sore treatments and expanded into repellents, supplements, and skin care over the past 45 years.

How to Swap to Non-Toxic bug sprays:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic bug sprays:

What to know about bug spray

Bug spray is applied directly to your skin, often over large areas of your body, and reapplied throughout the day. That makes its formulation especially important. Welpr looks at the active ingredients, fragrances, preservatives, and any unnecessary additives in bug sprays to make sure what you're putting on your skin is as clean as possible.

Bug sprays used daily or during outdoor seasons deserve more attention than ones used once or twice a year.
Products applied to kids or sprayed near the face and mouth are a higher priority to review first.

Review what you already use

Check the bug sprays you currently own by using the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner. It lets you snap a photo of the ingredient label and flags anything that may not meet Welpr's standards.

Start with the bug spray you reach for most often or the one you use on your kids.
Look for "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label — these often indicate synthetic fragrance, which Welpr does not allow unless it's fully disclosed and third-party certified safe.

Use your current bug spray more carefully

If you're not ready to replace your bug spray right away, small changes in how you apply it can reduce unnecessary exposure. This is especially helpful for sprays used on children or over large areas of skin.

Apply spray to your hands first and then rub it on, rather than spraying directly onto your face or near your mouth.
Wash treated skin with soap and water once you're back indoors and no longer need protection.

Choose a cleaner bug spray

Look for bug sprays with simple, purposeful formulations. Welpr prioritizes products that are fragrance-free or scented only with natural plant-based ingredients, free from endocrine disruptors like parabens and phthalates, and without unnecessary additives.

Choose products with certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE®, but know that Welpr still does a full formula review beyond any certification.
Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved bug spray.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

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Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

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