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A bottle of homemade mosquito repellent laying on a blue towel along with some essential oils, a paper flower, and a succulent

Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Recipe (that WORKS!)

This toxin-free mosquito repellent recipe provides a 2% dilution, which is ideal for topical application. It’s fine to omit or add other essential oils, just be sure to keep the total to 50 drops for the 4 oz recipe to prevent skin irritation.
5 from 1 vote
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Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 oz

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • COMBINE - Fill the spray bottle with 4 oz of distilled water, then add the 50 drops of Polysorbate 20, followed by the 50 drops of assorted essential oils. It’s okay to do some swapping of the essential oils as long as you stick with 50 drops in total for the 4 oz recipe.
  • SHAKE - Shake the mixture well to ensure that all of the essential oils are well-incorporated and you receive a true 2% dilution when sprayed onto your skin. The Polysorbate 20 is a great emulsifier to get the oils and water to mix properly, but it won’t hold the solution in suspension forever, so be sure to shake it before each application.
  • LABEL - Always, always label your homemade goods with at least the name of what it is and the date you prepared it. If there’s room, I like to list out the ingredients as well. You can use cute labels, or if you’re basic like me, a strip of masking tape works just fine.
  • USE - Give it a shake and then mist a light layer over your skin and clothing. Avoid your eyes and mouth. Start with a small part of your body (like your forearm) to ensure that you don’t react to any of the essential oils before committing to your whole body. 
  • STORE - Store the bottle in a cool, dark location for 6 months. I make a fresh bottle every spring when the mosquitos start hatching and then refill as needed until the season is over.

Notes

*Be sure to use an essential oil brand that is unadulterated and therapeutic grade. What I have linked above is (based on my research) the best quality, affordable, and accessible. I’m slowly transitioning over to them as my previous supply runs out.
**There is some research to support that vanillin (the main compound in vanilla) can extend the time that essential oils are effective in repelling mosquitos – up to 3 hours! While I haven’t personally tried it, it might be worth experimenting with. I’d start by adding 1 tsp of REAL vanilla extract into the mixture above.
***Some of the essential oils included can "technically" cause skin irritation, but the dosing is low enough that I’ve never had anyone react to it. 
Keyword DIY, essential oil, mosquito repellent, toxin-free
Did you try my recipe?Let me know how it was!