Advnture Verdict
Sensitive on both the environment and your skin, Lemon Eucalyptus Repel is an effective repellent that deters all sorts of biting beasts, and isn’t unpleasant to use.
Pros
- +
Natural and environmentally friendly
- +
Effective
- +
Pleasant lemon scent
Cons
- -
Lemon scent too strong for some users
- -
Doesn’t last as long as DEET
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
Lemon Eucalyptus Repel: first impressions
Lemon Eucalyptus Repel is a great choice for those who don’t like spraying chemicals on themselves and their family, or releasing them into the environment. It is made with oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora, a lemon-scented gum tree native to Australia.
Considered safe for children three years and older, it’s registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as effective against disease-carrying mosquitoes.
• RRP: $7 (US)
• Bottle size: 118ml / 4 oz
• Lasting power: 6 hours
• Active ingredient: 30% lemon eucalyptus oil
Lemon Eucalyptus Repel: on the trail
So, it’s good for nature and better for you than many other insect repellents on the market – but does it really work? Well, yes.
In a 2014 scientific study a mixture of 32% lemon eucalyptus oil provided more than 95% protection against mosquitoes for three hours. In another independent laboratory test, Lemon Eucalyptus Repel was the second most effective mosquito repellent after a 30% DEET concentration (if you don’t know what DEET is, there’s an explanation in our best insect repellents buying guide).
And it worked on me too. I used this repellent in the jungles of Indonesia, in the buggy Northeastern United States, Central America and South America with extreme success. Definitely one of the best ways to avoid bites and stings on the trail.
Importantly, it wasn’t horrific to use either. In fact, this is possibly the only insect repellent I’ve ever used that I thought smelled good. And, although this is an oil-based pump spray, it never left me feeling greasy, sticky or like I needed to get it off my skin as soon as possible. Stick it on your camping checklist.
