How to Apply Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent Correctly
Follow the label first. In general, CDC and EPA say to apply sunscreen first and repellent second, put repellent only on exposed skin or clothing, never under clothing, spray your hands before touching your face, use only enough to cover, and wash skin and clothes after coming indoors.
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Shop Now →This guide is about EPA-registered oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD repellents. It is not about the essential oil we sell. Our oil is not a registered repellent, and we would not tell you to put it on skin or clothes for bug protection. Our stance page says the same. We have no photos or hands-on trials to show here, so each step below is written from agency guidance and one real EPA-stamped label, and we say which is which.
Step zero: the label is the law
A real EPA-stamped label for Repel Essential (EPA Reg. No. 305-57, dated 2007) opens its directions with: "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Read and follow all directions and precautions on this product label." (EPA label). CDC says the same in plainer words: "Always follow the product label instructions." Everything below is general guidance, and your bottle can differ. We do not sell or endorse that product.
The sequence, step by step
- Put sunscreen on first. CDC: "If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second." CDC also advises avoiding combined sunscreen-repellent products, because sunscreen may need more frequent or larger application than a repellent does (CDC Yellow Book).
- Apply outdoors-ready, to exposed skin and clothing only. EPA: "Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing." (EPA). The 2007 label's directions: "To repel insects, apply to exposed skin and clothing."
- Use enough, not a soaking. CDC says heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary. The 2007 label says to "spread evenly with hand to moisten all exposed skin."
- Do faces by hand. EPA and CDC both say not to spray directly on the face: spray your hands first, then apply. Avoid eyes and mouth and use a light hand around the ears. The 2007 label adds: "dispense on palm of hand and spread on face and neck."
- Skip cuts and irritated skin. The 2007 label says do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin, and CDC says the same for children's cuts or irritated skin.
- Reapply only as directed. CDC: "Reapply repellent as directed." The 2007 label: "Reapply once as needed. Do not apply more than twice per day." See how long lemon eucalyptus repellent lasts.
- Wash it off. EPA says to wash the skin and clothes you applied it to with soap and water after coming indoors.
Our reasoning for the order: sunscreen goes first because CDC says to; and because CDC notes that DEET products applied over sunscreen reduce its SPF by about one-third, keeping them separate lets you reapply each on its own schedule. CDC makes that SPF point about DEET specifically, so it is not a statement about OLE.
Label phrases, decoded
| Phrase on the 2007 label | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| "Apply to exposed skin and clothing" | Skin that is uncovered, and the outside of clothing; not skin under a shirt |
| "Do not spray directly on face" | Spray into your palm first |
| "Reapply once as needed. Do not apply more than twice per day" | The label sets a ceiling on how often; your product may differ |
| "Do not allow children to apply this product to themselves. Do not apply to the hands of children." | An adult applies it, to the adult's own hands first |
| "Do not apply to children under the age of three years" | A hard stop on that label (see below) |
| "After returning from outdoors, wash product from all exposed skin" | Wash up when you come in |
| "Flammable. Keep away from heat and open flame" | Do not apply near a fire pit, grill or cigarette |
That label is from 2007, so use it as a map of what to look for, not as your product's text. EPA says to apply and reapply "according to the label instructions."
Mistakes we would flag
Reasoned from the agency guidance above, these are the errors the instructions most clearly rule out:
- Applying under clothing. EPA and CDC both say not to.
- Soaking instead of covering. CDC says heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary.
- Spraying the face directly. Spray your hands first.
- Reapplying more often than the label allows. CDC says not to.
- Using a combined sunscreen-repellent product. CDC advises against them.
- Letting a child apply it, or applying it to their hands. Both are ruled out on the 2007 label and by EPA.
- Applying near flame. The 2007 label marks it flammable; check yours.
A 60-second checklist before you step outside
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Registration number and active ingredient on the label | Confirms it is a registered repellent, not an essential oil |
| Age statement | Under-3 rules vary by label; ask a pediatrician |
| Sunscreen on first | CDC order: sunscreen, then repellent |
| Exposed skin and outer clothing only | EPA: not under clothing |
| Reapply limit | Know your label's maximum before you leave |
| Wash-off plan | EPA: wash skin and clothes after coming in |
Children
Two CDC pages differ, and we flag it rather than pick one. The CDC mosquito page says not to use OLE or PMD products on children under 3. The CDC Yellow Book (April 2025) says the same by default, then adds that certain OLE-only products at 30% or less can be used on children under 3, and that parents should always read the label first. The 2007 label we read said not under three. Ask a pediatrician before using any OLE or PMD product on a young child. For anyone old enough to use it, EPA and CDC say: put it on your own hands and then on the child's face, never on a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cuts or irritated skin, and wash it off afterwards. Our fuller age guidance is in Is lemon eucalyptus safe for kids?.
When skin reacts
The 2007 label says the product "may cause skin reactions for some people" and to "discontinue if irritation or rash appears." We agree and would add: wash the area with soap and water and ask a pharmacist, physician or dermatologist about what to do next. More on reactions in lemon eucalyptus skin irritation and when to stop. If someone swallows repellent or gets it in the eyes, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (poison.org).
Spray, lotion, wipe: does it change the steps?
Not the principles: label first, exposed skin only, hands for the face. The format changes how easy it is to cover skin evenly and how likely you are to breathe it or get it near eyes. We compare formats in lemon eucalyptus spray vs lotion. For picking a product to begin with, see how to choose a lemon eucalyptus repellent, and for the broader background the pillar Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
What we do and do not advise
We do not advise putting essential oil on skin or clothing to repel insects, and we give no recipe or dose for it. If you want a lemony scent for a candle or diffuser, our oil is on the shop page, with the dilution guidance on that page for skin-contact fragrance uses (0.5% to 2% in a carrier oil, patch test first). That guidance is not insect protection.
Clothing, hats and gear
Labels such as the 2007 one say to apply to exposed skin and clothing, and EPA says to apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing. We have no spot tests of how any product behaves on a given fabric, plastic or lens, so we will not make a claim about it. Check the label for fabric statements, test a hidden patch of an item you care about, and wash clothing afterwards as EPA advises. Keep any repellent away from eyewear until you have read what your label says.
Permethrin is a different category: CDC says it is applied to clothing, nets or fabrics and never to skin. Do not confuse the two when packing; see lemon eucalyptus vs permethrin.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put repellent on before or after sunscreen?
After. CDC says sunscreen first, repellent second, and to avoid combination products.
Can I spray it under my clothes?
No. EPA and CDC say not to apply repellent to skin under clothing.
How much should I use?
Enough to cover exposed skin evenly. CDC says heavy application is generally unnecessary and not to reapply more often than the label allows.
Can I apply it to my toddler?
Ask a pediatrician first. CDC says not under 3 for OLE or PMD, with a label-dependent exception for certain OLE-only products at 30% or less.
Last reviewed: October 2026. This page reports agency and label statements and is not medical advice.
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil from our own shop, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.
From $9.99
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