1. What is Citriodiol®?

The active ingredient in Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent is Citriodiol®. Citriodiol® is the trade name for Eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclized, which can also be called EC Oil (H/C) . In the USA Citriodiol® is registered and known as oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). Visit www.citriodiol.com to learn more.

2. Are Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellents really botanically sourced? 

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus’s active ingredient Citriodiol® comes directly from lemon eucalyptus citriodora oil. This essential oil is sustainably harvested from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree by a simple process of steam distillation. In nature, the main component of the oil is citronellal and, as the oil ages, that citronellal gradually turns into p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), which is also the main component in EC Oil (H/C) (Citriodiol®).

Some PMD is found in the tree’s “young” oil but only in small amounts. Because it is not possible to distill the oil when it is more mature and because the PMD is central to the oil’s efficacy in repelling biting insects, our suppliers harvest the oil from leaves that are only about 18 months old. We then mimic nature by turning the rest of the oil’s citronellal into more PMD without adding or removing anything extra to the finished product. This is how the active ingredient in Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellents can come from a botanical source and still work really well in repelling bugs

The PMD and other essential oil components found in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree not only protect the trees from certain insects, but also from grazing animals that find the oil’s naturally bitter taste very off putting.  This quality allows cattle to graze around the trees keeping weeds in check and naturally fertilizing the soil without risk that they will eat the seedling trees.

3. Why do Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellents contain alcohol?

All Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus products contain types of non-drinkable alcohol that are routinely used in cosmetic products and that are approved for use in consumer products.  We can recommend them with confidence because each of our products has undergone rigorous reviews required for their sale around the world. 

In case you still have concerns, here are the types of alcohol our products contain: 

• Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Spray and Spray Extra contain ethanol and isopropyl alcohol which we use as solvents because the active ingredient is oily and won’t mix into a spray form with just water

• Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Roll-on contains cetearyl alcohol, a waxy solid, which we use as an emulsifier and emollient to improve the feel of the products on the skin and provide a moisturising effect

• Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Stick contains cetyl alcohol, used as an emulsifier and emollient and glycerine, a sugar alcohol used to improve smoothness through its lubrication and moisturising effects

4. Some ingredients in Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellents sound very 'chemically' for products with a plant based active. Why is this?

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus products combine the best of Mother Nature and the most suitable modern day formulatory tools to bring you a range of insect repellent products that are truly efficacious, skin kind, long lasting and suitable for your whole family. Here is more information about our ingredients.

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Spray ingredients

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus spray is an oil and water based solution. 

Main ingredients

1. 30% Citriodiol® — The active ingredient comes from a botanical oil found in the leaves of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. This is responsible for the repellency of Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus products. The main component in Citriodiol® is p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), making up at least 64% of the oil.

2. Aqua — Water provides a liquid base for the product.

3. Denatured ethanol and isopropyl alcohol — Forms of non-drinkable alcohol used as solvents to help blend the active ingredient (which is oily) into the product.

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Spray Extra ingredients

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Spray Extra is a hydroalcoholic solution. The main difference in the ingredients of Spray and Spray Extra is that the Spray Extra contains 40% Citriodiol® compared to 30% Citriodiol® in the Spray. 

Main ingredients

1. 40% Citriodiol® — The active ingredient comes from a botanical oil found in the leaves of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. This is responsible for the repellency of Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus products. The main component in Citriodiol® is p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), making up at least 64% of the oil.

2. Aqua — Water provides a liquid base for the product.

3. Denatured ethanol and isopropyl alcohol — Forms of non-drinkable alcohol used as solvents to help blend the active ingredient (which is oily) into the product.

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Roll-on ingredients

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Roll-on is an emulsion. An emulsion is a mixture of two phases that will not mix together under normal circumstances, in this case oil and water. To prevent the two phases from separating we use stabilisers.

Main ingredients

1. 30% Citriodiol® — The active ingredient comes from a botanical oil found in the leaves of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. This is responsible for the repellency of Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus products. The main component in Citriodiol® is p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), making up at least 64% of the oil.

2. Aqua — Water is used to provide a liquid base for the emulsion.
   
   Minor ingredients (≤ 10%)

3. Isohexadecane — A clear, odourless, apolar oil with 99% purity. It has a light velvety skin feel and functions as an emollient. It provides a moisturising effect by limiting water loss from the skin.

4. Diisopropyl Adipate — This is the ester formed by combining isopropyl alcohol and adipic acid. Adipic acid is found in beet juice. It acts as a lubricant on the skin's surface and give it a soft and smooth appearance.

5. Steareth-21 — A waxy solid derived from fatty alcohols. It is prepared from vegetable oils by hydrogenation. It emulsifies and disperses the oily materials into the water to form a stable emulsion.

6. PEG-8 Distearate and Steareth-2 — Waxy solids used as co-emulsifiers for oil-in water emulsions. They work in combination with steareth-21 to form a glossy white lotion.

7. Cetearyl Alcohol — A waxy solid derived from fatty alcohol. It acts as an emulsion stabiliser and prevents separation of the oils and water.

8. Disodium EDTA — EDTA acts as an antioxidant. Without EDTA colours and odours can break down.

9. Sodium Lactate Aqua — A natural salt formed from fermentation of lactic acid and dissolved in water. It improves the stability of the product by creating an undesirable environment for bacteria. The other benefit of sodium lactate is its high capacity for holding water. This will increase the moisture content of the skin.

10. C18-22 Hydroxyalkyl Hydroxypropyl Guar — A thickener and emulsion stabiliser that improves the feel and texture of the product by increasing its thickness.

11. HydrogenatedPolydecene, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate and Trideceth-10 — These increase the thickness of the product and improve its feel and texture.

12. Lactic Acid Aqua — Used to adjust the final pH of the product.

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus Stick ingredients

Mosi-guard® Lemon Eucalyptus stick is a solid insect repellent formula.

Main ingredients

1. 32% Citriodiol® — The active ingredient comes from a botanical oil found in the leaves of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. This is responsible for the repellency of Mosi-guard Natural® products. The main component in Citriodiol® is p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), making up at least 64% of the oil.

2. Butylene glycol — This solvent stops the active ingredient, Citriodiol®, from crystallising. It also helps to keep the skin moist and prevents bacteria growth.

3. Glycerine — A viscous (sugar alcohol) common in cosmetic products. It is derived from vegetable oils and is a by-product of soap manufacture. It is used to improve smoothness by providing lubrication and moisturising effects.
   
   Minor ingredients (≤ 10%)

4. Sodium Stearate — A white solid that is the main component in soap. It thickens the product into the solid stick and works to improve its texture and feel.

5. Cetyl Alcohol — A waxy solid that thickens the product. It acts as an emollient and thickener to form the stick and prevents water loss from the skin.