Soy-based Insect Repellent Roll-on

This Soy-based Insect Repellent Roll-on recipe was developed for the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (ASPB). We are compensated for these posts as part of our client work, but the opinions and thoughts shared, are our own.

I recently sat outside on a Monday night with my Toddler. He has a water table that he sneaks out of the doggy door to play in. It makes me crazy.

This time of year, unless we get up super early to play, we have to wait until the sun goes down after dinner to be able to sit outside for any length of time. He loves to play outside. He chases the dog and bosses her around in his gibberish and is everything an 18-month-old should be. Our dog is his best friend, and his ultimate goal each day is to be where “goo gurl” is, as often as possible.

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I hope this doesn’t make me a bad mom, but I avoid it as often as possible. I HATE to be hot, and I HATE mosquitoes. There I said it. Bugs and itching keep me from being outside most of the time.

And, his little skin whelps up so big with any type of bug bite, so I often avoid it all-around.

Even with the highest anti-bug solutions and candles and lanterns around, I can’t stand it; I’m scratching and itching the whole time.

One of the benefits of making your own skincare products is knowing and controlling what is in them. My little guy has super sensitive skin, and I always have to look at every ingredient in any product we use on him. Yes, it’s super annoying and often expensive, but it’s a fact of where we are.

Our backyard is a fun little oasis, and I want to be outside, but I HATE mosquitoes (did I say that yet?!?). So, using Kellee’s inspiration and little essential oil research, I found the perfect blend to make it through our fun backyard evenings together.

This stage with Little Man is full of too much joy and curiosity to miss a moment.

BONUS: these oils also act as a soothing treatment for mosquito bites and help with itching. So, while they keep the bugs away, they also work as a relief for those itchy spots if you forget to cover yourself before you go outside

I purchased all my ingredients through Amazon. Make sure you find clean, cosmetic-grade products for use in skincare.

Soy Wax (Cosmetic Grade)

Shea Butter

Coconut Oil

Roll On Containers (1oz) or these Deodorant sized roll-ons (2oz)

Why use Soy-based products?

Soy wax, the basis of our recipe, is a hydrogenated vegetable oil that turns solid at room temperature. It is a natural product without other ingredients added. While not needed for this product, it is important to note that soy has been known to stimulate collagen in the skin with a byproduct of increasing elasticity and reducing wrinkles. I may not need anti-aging skin on my ankles, but it sure does make me think about that for my face products.

Soy-based skincare products are used because of the higher vitamin E content in soybeans, which can also help with scars. Some other things that soy-based skincare products help with are cracked heels, dry elbows, rough cuticles, and dry skin patches.

What essential oils repel mosquitoes and bugs?

There are many scents and scent combinations that you can use to annoy mosquitoes, which essentially is the goal when you are trying to keep them away!

• Tea tree
• Lemongrass or lemon balm
• Citronella –make sure you know if your user is allergic to this
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Basil
• Garlic
• Catnip
• Marigold
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Vetiver
• Thyme
• Pine
• Cedarwood
• Patchouli –remember other people want to hang out with you.

Combination ideas:

• Citronella/lemongrass/clove
• Lemon/eucalyptus
• Lavender/peppermint/sweet basil
• Thyme/basil/geranium/lemon/cedarwood

Many of these same flower/plant combinations would be good to put in planters around your porch or pool area and would act as natural deterrents for those pesky little varmints. Another thought is to make a mixture of water and some of these essential oils in a glass or metal sprayer to put around your porch and spray in the air. Just note some oils like Bergamot will make you sun sensitive, so maybe avoid spraying directly on the body and just mist in the air.

Before using any essential oil products on your body, make sure you know what the makers say about topical usage. I am a distributor for Young Living essential oils and know they are 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade and the combinations I’ve listed are safe to use on the skin. But, check your product and the company’s website if you are not aware of the oil production process and if they are skin safe.

The same philosophy is true for your pets. Know which essential oils are safe for use on your pets or for them to lick if they were to happen to get too close to your new skincare product.

What combinations of scents attract bugs?

The following is a list of scents that attract bugs and that you would want to avoid using in your insect repellent.

• All floral scents
• Sweet fruity scents
• Cinnamon Oil
• Melissa Oil
• Body heat also attracts mosquitoes like summer heat, but also after exercising
• Alcohol, especially beer
• Standing, stagnant water such as birdbaths, troughs, gutters, and outdoor toys
• Dark clothing
• Potassium or salt – sweat

Whatever the combination, summer in the South is always a breeding ground for these little summer pests. And while those plastic bags hanging with water and vinegar in them, who has time for that, unless you live in the Redneck Rivera. Be prepared with a Soy-based Insect Repellent so you can still get out and enjoy your family and make summer memories!