Homemade Mosquito Repellent

By stancec44

This homemade mosquito repellent cream keeps people from having to apply both a moisturizer AND a bug spray. It kills two birds with one stone, and it works!

Ingredients

• 1/4 1/4 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp stearic acid powder or beeswax pellets (order on line or check local health food store)
• 1/4 1/4 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp stearic acid powder or beeswax pellets (order on line or check local health food store)
• 1/4 1/4 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp stearic acid powder or beeswax pellets (order on line or check local health food store)
• 1/4 1/4 2 cup plus 2 Tbsp coconut oil (ditto)
• 1/4 1/4 2 cup plus 2 Tbsp coconut oil (ditto)
• 1/4 1/4 2 cup plus 2 Tbsp coconut oil (ditto)
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 tsp baking soda (find natural baking soda here)
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 tsp baking soda (find natural baking soda here)
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 tsp baking soda (find natural baking soda here)
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 cup distilled water
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 cup distilled water
• 3/4 3/4 3/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 tsp Vitamin E oil (find non-GMO Vitamin E oil here)
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 tsp Vitamin E oil (find non-GMO Vitamin E oil here)
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 tsp Vitamin E oil (find non-GMO Vitamin E oil here)
• 10 10 to 100% each of two of the following: citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender (if you’d like to repel ticks), pennyroyal (find 100% pure organic essential oils here)
• 10 10 to 100% each of two of the following: citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender (if you’d like to repel ticks), pennyroyal (find 100% pure organic essential oils here)
• 10 10 to 100% each of two of the following: citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender (if you’d like to repel ticks), pennyroyal (find 100% pure organic essential oils here)

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from diynatural.com

Preparation

Step 1

Melt the beeswax and/or stearic acid, Vitamin E, and coconut oil over low heat. I like a double boiler or a large metal bowl on the lowest setting (around 100°F) in the oven.

Heat the distilled water to almost boiling, remove from heat, and stir in the baking soda.

This next part is the tricky part. Just like you are making homemade mayonnaise, pour water slowly into oil while mixing with a hand blender. It can be helpful to have a partner for this step. You will see the oil turn white immediately if you have successfully achieved emulsification.

Immediately place pan in an ice water bath in the sink.

Add essential oils. I prefer a combination of citronella and eucalyptus for general insect repellent. Mix occasionally until evenly and completely cooled.

Place into the jar of your choice and label jar well.