Refugio Gardens Botanicals
Bug Lotion
Bug Lotion
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Bug Off Botanical Lotion — Handcrafted Native Plant Insect Deterrent
Chaparral Armor, in a Bottle
Bug Off is a deeply moisturizing botanical lotion scented with our signature deterrent blend of California native plants and companion essential oils. Small-batch crafted at Refugio Gardens around sustainably wildharvested California Mugwort and White Sage—two plants the chaparral has deployed against insects for millennia—balanced with lemon eucalyptus, citronella, lemongrass, and Virginia cedarwood. Wear it on evening walks, garden mornings, and back porch dinners.
Aroma & Character
- Fragrance: Bright lemon-citronella opening over cool camphoraceous sage and mugwort, settling into warm cedarwood
- Note: Citrus top, herbal heart, woody base
- Feel: Silky, fast-absorbing shea butter lotion—no greasy film, no synthetic fragrance
The Native Heart of the Blend
We grow and wildharvest our Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) and White Sage (Salvia apiana) ourselves, distilling in small batches on our California homestead. Both plants are rich in 1,8-cineole—the aromatic compound that gives chaparral its unmistakable scent and its ancient reputation as a bug barrier. Every distillation is GC–MS verified for purity, and each lotion batch records the exact distillation lots that went into it.
These native oils are paired with three of the plant world's most time-honored deterrents—lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass—with Virginia cedarwood anchoring the blend and extending its presence on skin long after the brighter citrus notes lift.
Uses & Ritual
Smooth onto exposed skin before heading outdoors—gardening at dusk, hiking chaparral trails, evenings by the fire pit. Reapply as the cedarwood base fades. Moisturizes with shea butter, coconut, and grapeseed oils while surrounding you in a cloud of herbal protection.
4 oz amber jar • cruelty-free • no synthetics, ever
Bug Off FAQ
Does it actually work?
It deters casual fly-bys and masks the skin cues mosquitoes use to find you—but it's a 1.5% botanical blend, not a chemical warfare agent. For heavy mosquito pressure, we recommend pairing with your favorite EPA-registered repellent.
Is it safe for kids?
The formula is gentle, but botanical essential oils can sensitize young skin—we suggest patch testing and skipping it on children under 3.
Why is it a lotion and not a spray?
The lotion base slows evaporation of the volatile oils, meaning the cedarwood and sage notes linger on skin longer than they would from an alcohol spray—plus your skin gets shea butter instead of drying alcohol.
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Safety & Cautions
Safety & Cautions
- Please be advised to keep essential oils out of reach of pets and children.
- Please avoid using photosensitive essential oils (Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Calm Shen Blend and any products made with these oils such as Santa Barbara Goldenbush Lotion) prior to going out in the sun or using a tanning booth as they can react to sunlight and cause something similar to a severe sunburn.
- It is advised to void continuous long term use of the same essential oils.
- Be sure to research the powerful effects of essential oils before use.
- Use diluted essential oils on the skin (Carrier oils like Jojoba are great for this in a 10% essential oil to 90% carrier base oil ratio).
- It is advised to patch test on a small portion of sensitive skin and discontinue if there is irritation or a negative reaction.
- Please know the safety data and specific warnings on an individual oil or Blend before using.
- And please use careful caution using essential oils during pregnancy. Any use should be approved by a medical provider.
- Its important to keep essential oils away from your eyes. If oil does get in your eye, do not flush it out with water. You can dilute the area immediately with vegetable or carrier oil by placing the vegetable oil on a tissue and gently wiping the eye area.
- Also essential oils are flammable so please avoid direct contact with flames such as candles.
- Please do not use essential oils internally unless properly trained and prescribed by a physician. If accidentally swallowed, call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately and do not induce vomiting.