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Natural Bug Spray Review: Purple Prairie Deet-Free Bug Spray

Purple Prairie Deet-Free Bug Spray

Brand: Purple Prairie

Overall
2.4
  • Clean Ingredients
  • Ease of Application
  • Scent
  • Kid-Safe
  • Effective

Details:

Purple prairie bug repellentPrice: $7.99  for 4.2 ounces ($1.90/oz) or save with bigger refill bottle

Where to Purchase: Purple Prairie

Safety Notes: polysorbate 20, a preservative, is rated “3” at EWG; oils not deemed safe for kids include eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint.

Active Ingredients: eucalyptus citriadora (lemon eucalyptus) oil, azadirachta indica (neem) seed oil, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil.

My bottle is really quite different from the online ingredients. The formula must have changed in the past year or two, but I’ll go with what is listed currently.

Other Ingredients: aqua (water), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), polysorbate 20

Easy to use? Yes, spray is easy

Sticky? Maybe a little

How does it smell? Pleasant but strong; the lemon and eucalyptus come through

Did it prevent mosquito bites? No. In two trials on two different people, it failed both times, both in keeping mosquitoes from landing and from biting. Note that the formula has changed though…

KS recommends? No. Many brands don’t need a preservative, and this one didn’t seem to be a good fit for my family, PLUS there are multiple non-child-safe oils.

Additional Notes: Can be used as a general itch reliever on bites or chicken pox, etc.

Pros

  • Can be used for general itch relief

Cons

  • Not effective in trials
  • Unsafe oils for kids
  • Uses preservative
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