How to Read Mosquito Repellent Ingredients: A Guide to Judging Natural, Effective and Safe

Currently the United States has approved a total of 7 mosquito repellent ingredients, about 600 products, including catnip oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, DEEP, IR3535, picaridin, p-menthane-3,8-diol, and 2-undecanone; there are also 5 essential oil ingredients that can effectively repel mosquitoes and have no safety concerns, so they do not need to be listed and regulated, including lemon eucalyptus oil, cedarwood oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil, and soybean oil.

Huang Chi-sen said that at present, among domestic mosquito repellents advertised as having natural ingredients, only a few products have been sent to academic institutions for efficacy tests and ingredient identification. Manufacturers should label according to international names, or provide test reports. For example, labeling eucalyptus oil does not necessarily mean it is ineffective, but if ingredients that have already passed inspection abroad are used for labeling, consumers are better protected.

He also called on the government to open up more mosquito repellent ingredients, align with international standards, follow the United States in adopting a tiered management system, guide mosquito repellent manufacturers to apply for inspection, or after a safety assessment, publicly announce a list of effective mosquito repellent ingredients in a non-regulated manner, so that protection will be better.

The Consumers' Foundation, meanwhile, called on the government to investigate products on the market that claim mosquito repellent efficacy; if false advertising is involved, they should be investigated and dealt with as soon as possible.

Huang Chi-sen reminded that mosquito repellent and sunscreen cannot be used together, otherwise the mosquito repellent effect will be reduced. When applying mosquito repellent for the first time, you can first rub it on the inner side of your arm to see whether your skin will have an allergic reaction.