Spending time outdoors in the warmer months often comes with an unwelcome side effect: bug bites. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects can leave behind itchy, swollen bumps that can be uncomfortable and irritating.

Many people search for natural remedies for bug bites because they want relief from itching without using harsh chemicals. Fortunately, there are several gentle remedies can help calm inflammation, reduce itching, and support the skin’s natural healing process.

When most people think of bug repellent, they picture a spray.

But when I began formulating a natural mosquito repellent for Kosmatology, I quickly realized that sprays weren’t the best option—especially for families with young children.

As a pharmacist and formulator, safety was my first priority. One concern that kept coming up was inhalation. Even if a bug repellent is safe to apply to the skin, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be inhaled into the lungs.