Excerpted from Plant-Powered Beauty by Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault
Oil-Based Bug Spray for the Body
5 minutes or less | 1 fluid ounce, good for 1 or 2 full-body applications
Plant-based oils, especially vegetable oils combined with essential oils, can be tremendously effective against insects. After all, the reason the plant manufactures essential oils is to actually attract or ward off insects. Since we understand that our skin absorbs much of what is put on it, there is a growing concern about the high levels of potentially harmful and irritating chemical compounds that are present in many over-the-counter bug repellents. Mindful of this concern, we came up with a natural blend that has been tried and tested in many buggy environments.
The key ingredient is the Bug Spray Essential Oil Synergy, which you can make by combining the following amounts of essential oils:
- 20 drops of cinnamon leaf oil
- 20 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 20 drops of peppermint oil
- 20 drops of lemongrass oil
Materials
glass measuring pitcher
glass or wooden stirrer
1 (1-ounce) glass or non-BPA plastic bottle with a fine mist sprayer
Ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
20 drops Bug Spray Essential Oil Synergy
Steps
In a glass measuring pitcher, mix the sesame oil and jojoba oil together.
Add the synergy and stir until combined.
Slowly transfer the mixture to the spray bottle, cap, and shake well. Keep out of heat and away from direct sunlight. To prevent hardening, do not refrigerate. The bug spray should last for 4 months.
Water-Based Bug Spray for Clothes
5 minutes or less | 1 fluid ounce, good for 1 or 2 full-body applications
This safe, nonstaining bug spray blend can be applied directly to clothes to ward off insects. The essential oil synergy is the same as the one in the Oil-Based Bug Spray for the Body, but we have switched up the delivery so it can be easily sprayed on socks, pants, shirts, and hats when you venture outside into bug-laden territory.
Materials
glass measuring pitcher
glass or wooden stirrer
1 (1-ounce) glass or non-BPA plastic bottle with a fine mist sprayer
Ingredients
1 teaspoon organic high-proof alcohol (such as Everclear grain alcohol, though any brand of vodka will work)
20 drops Bug Spray Essential Oil Synergy
2 tablespoons distilled water
Steps
In a glass measuring pitcher, combine the alcohol and synergy. Mix well until the essential oils look like they are no longer separating from the alcohol.
Once the mixture is fully blended, add the distilled water and mix well.
Transfer the mixture to the spray bottle, cap, and shake vigorously. Keep out of heat and away from direct sunlight. To prevent hardening, do not refrigerate. The bug spray should last for 4 months.