Can i make a natural insect repellent??

sallyrsm

Thanks to this forum I've found the excellent site Soap Kitchen that stocks things to make soaps and creams etc..
They have a "recipe" for a shea and aloe butter to make yourself...
What I was wondering is, could I add an essential oil like Citronella or one of the other insect repellent oils to the body butter or does Shea butter have a smell of its own that might clash?

Alternatively if anyone has a recipe for a home made natural insect repellent (DS has a bit of eczema) I would be eternally grateful

:rolleyes:

Got2change

I made a very effective spray - but it was for horses. However, I had no qualms about using it on myself - arms and legs but not face. However, you have the eczema issues to consider....
Anyway - mine was -
Citronella Oil
Oil of Eucalyptus
Methylated Spirits
White Vinegar
Tea Tree Oil Skin Cleanser (from Superdrug)

It worked.

sallyrsm

Might give that sort of thing a whirl... after all if DS has a flareup as a result then me and his Grandma can use it instead! We're going to Venice which is mozzie central and all of us must taste mighty fine as we're mozzie magnets. I might leave out the meths and the vinegar and add it to some toner in a spray bottle...
Maybe even a few drops of citronella in an unscented moisturiser would do the trick...
Glad it worked on the horses!

Got2change

Hm - good plan to leave out the meths I would say.
All the rest harmless enough and the oils will cancel out the smell of the vinegar.
Enjoy Venice you lucky people.

Newgirl_2

If anyone doesn't like citronella, I use tea tree oil which does the job

Newgirl

sandy2_2

Newgirl wrote: »

If anyone doesn't like citronella, I use tea tree oil which does the job Newgirl

Do you dilute it with something if so what, then spray it on, more info please