Choosing a natural insect repellent is often about keeping insects at bay without relying on synthetic repellent ingredients. It's a thoughtful option for anyone who pays close attention to what they put on their skin, particularly those with sensitive or reactive skin.
A well-formulated natural repellent uses carefully selected ingredients that each serve a clear purpose. "Natural" doesn't automatically mean suitable for everyone, so checking the ingredient list and patch testing first is always a sensible approach.
Ingredients To Look For In Natural Repellents
Ingredients matter in a natural repellent, especially one that goes straight onto the skin, so it helps to know what each one is doing.
- Lemongrass Oil: Lemongrass Oil adds a fresh, uplifting scent to the formula and is a naturally-derived ingredient worth looking for in outdoor products.
- Celery Seed Oil: Known for its antioxidant and skin-calming properties (Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2017), Celery Seed Oil is a thoughtful addition to a formula designed for regular skin application.
- Soya Bean Oil: Soya Bean Oil is rich in fatty acids and helps moisturise and calm the skin, which can be especially handy in a natural repellent for kids.
- Hops Extract: Hops Extract can act as a natural preservative, helping create a formula without preservatives such as Parabens and Phenoxyethanol.
How To Apply Insect Repellent Properly
A proper application gives exposed skin the coverage it needs, especially during outdoor activities where mozzies and other insects tend to make themselves known.
Apply To Exposed Skin
Apply liberally to exposed areas of the body, following the directions on the product. Our Tail Swat works by changing your scent to something insects don't like, rather than repelling them outright. It can be used on the body and face, and is suitable for all ages, including children and newborns.
Reapply When Needed
Natural formulas may need topping up during longer stretches outdoors. Tail Swat is designed to be reapplied as often as required, which makes it handy for picnics, camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Take Care With Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin deserves a little extra thought, so checking the ingredients and following the product directions is always worthwhile. Our guide on How To Treat Dry, Sensitive Skin Naturally can also help with building a gentle skincare routine around individual skin needs.
Make Application Simple For Kids
For little ones, our Baby Tail Swat Roll-On offers a convenient way to apply the formula directly to their skin. It's suitable for babies and children, including newborns, and for sensitive skin more broadly.
Choosing An Aussie-Made Insect Repellent
Choosing a locally made insect repellent starts with looking closely at the formula, what it's meant for, and how much a brand is willing to tell you about its ingredients.
Check The Ingredient List
A clear ingredient list makes it easier to understand what's going onto the skin, and why each ingredient is there. This is especially useful when browsing our Baby or Skin Care for Kids collections, where gentle formulation matters even more.
Look For Sensitive Skin Suitability
For sensitive or reactive skin, look for a formula created with skin comfort in mind, and check the directions before applying. Repellents made for the skin can sit naturally alongside the everyday essentials in our Body Care collection.
Choose A Transparent Brand
A trustworthy brand should be upfront about its formulation choices and clear about what's going into each product. At MooGoo, we explain our ingredients and their purpose so families can make informed choices about what suits their skin.
Consider The Whole Family
A practical repellent should suit everyone who's actually going to use it, from little ones to grown-ups. Checking age suitability, application directions and precautions before use helps you find something that fits comfortably into family life.
When And Where To Use Insect Repellent
Knowing when and where to apply insect repellent can help stop mozzies and other pesky insects from putting a damper on time outdoors.
Around Dawn And Dusk
Mozzies tend to be most active around dawn and dusk (NSW Health, 2025), so applying repellent before heading out is a useful habit. Cover exposed skin and reapply according to the directions if you're staying outdoors longer.
Camping And Bushwalking
Camping, bushwalking and other outdoor adventures often mean spending plenty of time where insects are active. Pack repellent with your outdoor essentials and apply it to exposed skin as directed before setting off.
Backyard And Park Time
Backyard barbecues, picnics and trips to the park are lovely reasons to get outside, but mozzies may decide to join in too. Applying repellent before you head out can help keep these everyday moments a little more comfortable.
Travelling Around Australia
Different parts of Australia can have varying insect activity depending on location, weather and time of year. Keeping repellent handy while travelling means it's ready to go whenever conditions call for it.
Sources:
- Kooti, W., & Daraei, N. (2017). A review of the antioxidant activity of celery (Apium graveolens L). Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 1029–1034. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28701046/
- NSW Health. (2025). Mosquito borne diseases: Bite prevention. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/mosquito-borne/Pages/bite-prevention.aspx
