June 2, 2022
DIY
By Joanna
Soothe bug bites with only 5 ingredients — I swear by this easy recipe!
Let’s face it: even if you are diligent about using a bug repellent, sometimes they can still sneak a bite or two in! I happen to be one of those people who mosquitoes absolutely LOVE, so I’ve had to do a lot of research into anti-itch sprays that work. I tweak this homemade anti-itch spray recipe as needed, but always keep it on hand just in case. The mixture is soothing and a great natural way to stop the itching fast!
How To Make Homemade Anti-Itch Spray with Essential Oils (An Easy Recipe)
My recipe for a natural anti-itch spray is made of just 5 ingredients: aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and 3 essential oils. And it works so well that I usually make a big batch and keep individual bottles in different spots around the cabin! I even have one in my gardening tote to use when I’m out there and get bitten (along with my spider repellent and natural mosquito repellent).
Here’s a quick overview about why each of these ingredients is great for soothing bug bites like mosquito bites:
Aloe Vera
The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera are well-known. That’s why I always keep aloe plants around the house! While store-bought aloe usually has other ingredients in it, like alcohol, I still use it for the sake of convenience.
Aloe helps to reduce the swelling and itchiness from a mosquito bite, making it one of the most important ingredients of this natural itch relief spray.
Witch Hazel
Besides being an incredibly versatile ingredient in tons of natural skincare recipes, witch hazel is great for reducing inflammation. It also helps to soothe that burning feeling from a bug bite, along with any irritation. And lastly, witch hazel has been known to speed up healing!
Tea Tree Essential Oil
This potent essential oil offers antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for a homemade itch relief spray!
Lavender Essential Oil
Besides smelling so wonderful and relaxing, this essential oil is soothing to the skin. It’s also got pain-relieving properties that help against spider bites, fire ant bites, and bee stings. It’s a great analgesic!
Chamomile Essential Oil
Some DIY natural anti-itch sprays say to use either lavender or chamomile, but I like to use both. I mean, why not! Chamomile is known to have properties that are perfect for healing bug bites. For example, this essential oil helps to reduce redness, itching, and irritation. Also it speeds up healing!
As with anything new that you’re putting on your skin, be sure to do a test to ensure your skin doesn’t react negatively. And if you have especially sensitive skin, be sure to ask your doctor before using this! Also, be sure to avoid spraying onto your eyes or any open wounds/cuts.
Materials:
- Witch hazel
- Aloe vera gel
- Lavender essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Chamomile essential oil
- Glass spray bottle— if you’re upcycling an old bottle, be sure to clean it thoroughly.
- Funnel
- Label maker(optional, but always fun)
Directions:
Combine witch hazel and aloe vera in the spray bottle in a 1:1 ratio. For example, my bottle is 4 ounces, so I used 2 ounces of aloe vera gel and 2 ounces of witch hazel.
Next add your essential oils. I generally eyeball the amounts I add to the bottle, but here’s a rough estimate for a 4 ounce bottle:
- Tea tree essential oil: 10-15 drops
- Lavender essential oil: 10 drops
- Chamomile essential oil: 10 drops
Once all of the ingredients have been added to the spray bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. Once everything is blended, be sure to label your bottle so you don’t forget what’s in it.
The next time you have a mosquito bite or bug bite, simply share and spray directly onto your skin to soothe!
So what do you think of this recipe for homemade anti-itch spray with essential oils? I’d love to know what you think and how it works for you! Leave a comment and let me know.
Photography by Jojotastic.
4 Comments
DIY
Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.
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4 Comments
6.16.22
Diana Harn said:
Perfect spray for anti- itch from bug bites! Works like a charm. THANK YOU for sharing.
Reply
6.20.22
Joanna said:
YAY! I am SO glad to hear that it works for you!
Reply
7.18.22
Melody said:
Do you use aloe vera gel or aloe vera juice?
Reply
7.25.22
Joanna said:
The gel :)
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