All of us want flawless, scab-less skin, yet these mosquitoes seem to beg to differ, they way they feast on our bare arms and legs. Our top of mind solution: apply insect-repellent lotion. Regularly. Yet while you may be protecting your skin from insects, what’s there to protect it from the toxic elements found in commercially-sold insect-repellents and the harm they cause?
“Even if they were made for people to apply on their skin, these are still insecticides. These contain the same elements that are harmful to insects and which they keep away from,” says Dr. Eileen Cubillan, a dermatologist at the Medical Center Manila. “You shouldn’t be applying them too often on your skin, just on rare occasions such as when you go on outdoor trips.”
Dr. Cubillan recommended two natural alternatives to commercial insect-repellents. “Try lotions and other skincare products that have tea tree or citronella on them. That will effectively repel insects.” There are a lot of skincare products with tea tree that are now widely sold in the market. Try Silk Secrets Tea Tree Hand and Body Lotion found in Watsons. The Body Shop also has an extensive skin care line with tea tree as the base ingredient.
Meanwhile, citronella is the common essential oil found in aromatic candles, which are also used to repel insects when lighted. Look for perfumes or lotions with this as one of the main ingredients.
Other aromatic herbs and volatile plant oils like citronella are also considered to be natural insect repellents, although they require more frequent application (at least every two hours). Look for fragrances and skin care products with strong concentrations of oils of lavender, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, castor, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, mint and peppermint, pine, and elder leaves, among others. Products that combine multiple repellents also tend to be more effective than those just containing one.
Maintain flawless, insect-bite-free legs without poisoning your skin.
Photo courtesy of thebodyshop.com.
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