Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Held to Ransom by Your Mosquito Repellent?

  • Held to Ransom by Your Mosquito Repellent?

    Posted by mikethair on October 10, 2024 at 7:29 pm

    Yep, in Australia we are approaching summer, and this means mosquitoes. Lots of them.

    But whenever I reach for any of the conventional mosquito repellants I know the dangers of not protecting myself from mosquito bites, BUT looking at the ingredients lists, I always ask myself do I really want these toxins in my bloodstream? It is like being held to ransom.

    The solution? I formulated an Organic Mosquito Repellent that not only protects from mosquitoes but is also good for the skin.

    The mosquito-repelling is done by an essential oil called Eucalyptus Lemon Scented Gum Oil (Eucalyptus citriodora), which when applied to the skin is about as effective as other mosquito repellents including some that contain DEET.

    And the fragrance? I’d describe it as fresh, and invigorating. Perfect for summer.

    The lemon-scented Eucalyptus oil is mixed with some light-textured organic & cold pressed oils known for their skin moisturising and nourishing properties.

    It’s a formulation I developed and tested in Malaysia. I had some intrepid souls who liked jungle treks, and here is what they had to say:

    Very effective in repelling mozzies … I had mozzies flying around me and not bitten. Went for a 13km hike in dense jungle.

    I really love the repellant. Very nice smell and the oil is very moisturising and gentle. Both myself and sis did not have any allergy reaction. And this is really something because my sister has sensitive skin and can’t use many of the repellant brands out there.

    It lasts for almost the whole night.

    From nothing, in 2006, co-founded two skincare manufacturing factories, which ran until 2023. This gives me 17 years experience of hands-on experience in formulating and making skincare, including this mosquito repellent. My products were exported globally.

    If you would like to know more, email me: mikethair@gmail.com

    Dr Mike Thair

    Master Formulator

    • This discussion was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by  mikethair.
    mikethair replied 2 months, 1 week ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • ketchito

    Member
    October 11, 2024 at 6:22 am

    Just for context, EPA has in its website an entry where they made comments to the safety reviews they conducted on DEET: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet

    Also, there is some info about insect repellants that use actives not registred by EPA (mostly natural oils), that don’t pose a risk for humans, but whose effectiveness hasn’t been evaluated: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/regulation-skin-applied-repellents. Effectiveness evaluation is a very thorough, complex, lenghty and expensive process, but it makes sure that an active really delivers its performance because the outcome when it doesn’t is the exposure of people to very severe conditions.

    • mikethair

      Member
      October 11, 2024 at 5:57 pm

      Yes, I agree; effectiveness is difficult to determine. In our case, we simply relied on the feedback from our consumers and return sales. The consensus was that the product worked without any harmful effects.

      • Graillotion

        Member
        October 12, 2024 at 3:00 pm

        Then you already know that Lemon Eucalyptus oil has almost no repelling, other than beyond placebo levels. The essential oil is often mistaken by novices as the same thing as Oil of lemon Eucalyptus, which is it NOT. OLE contains high levels of PMD, which have been proven effective. Lemon Eucalyptus E.O has very negligible amounts of PMD.

        You just feed the mommy blogger lore, when you don’t make these distinctions in your post.

        • mikethair

          Member
          October 12, 2024 at 5:44 pm

          With respect, that’s why as a scientist I use the scientific name Eucalyptus citriodora so that there is no mistake.

          • Graillotion

            Member
            October 12, 2024 at 8:04 pm

            With all respect you said:

            The mosquito-repelling is done by an essential oil called Eucalyptus Lemon Scented Gum Oil (Eucalyptus citriodora)”

            What your intent with that language was….only you know. How a beginner will read that…we all know…..

            • This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by  Graillotion.
            • mikethair

              Member
              October 12, 2024 at 8:14 pm

              I’m sorry, I don’t see any issue with what I have written.

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