INSECT REPELLENTS


Citriodiol: A naturally sourced insect repellent


Jacqueline Watson - Managing Director, Citrefine International, UK


With continuously changing restrictions, hesitancy over long-distance trips and prolonged uncertainty about border control, many consumers cancelled their international holiday plans for 2021, but travel agents are seeing a surge in demand for 2022.1


After


postponing travel for 18 months or more, people are focused on destinations like India, South East Asia and South Africa.2 As mosquitos are found on


every continent, excluding Antarctica, international travel brings a high risk of vector- borne diseases, such as malaria, chikungunya, Zika virus and Japanese encephalitis. Aside from the risk of disease, mosquito bites are a nuisance for travellers and can be uncomfortable, irritating and even painful, especially for children. As mosquitos and other insects are difficult


to completely avoid, insect repellents are an essential personal care product for travellers. With a growing awareness of vector-borne disease following the Zika virus epidemic in 20163


, and the ongoing global malaria crisis,


the demand for insect repellent is anticipated to increase in line with a surge in international travel - so much so that the global market value of mosquito repellent products is forecast to exceed $6 billion by 2027.4 In addition to growing demand for


repellents, the value of the global natural cosmetics, beauty and personal care market is predicted to rise from $40.2 billion this year to $54.5 billion by 2027.5


This clearly


demonstrates consumers’ continued desire for effective alternatives to synthetic formulations in all products, including insect repellents. Extensive market research carried out by


Citrefine in 2020 to gain insight into insect repellent shopping habits demonstrates that a naturally sourced insect repellent is preferred to a synthetic alternative. 79.6% of the 1,400 respondents said they would opt for a naturally sourced product because they believe that these are better for the environment.4 To gain traction in the expanding market for


personal care products that use non-synthetic alternatives, formulators and manufacturers should consider three consumer preferences that are driving the demand for naturally sourced ingredients in products:


www.personalcaremagazine.com


■ Health benefits ■ Sustainability & environmental impact ■ Safety & efficacy


Health The anxiety and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rise of health- conscious consumers, with their focus on product formulations which improve their health and prevent disease.6


Research


demonstrates that consumers have a growing interest in natural ingredients tempered by antibacterial and antiviral qualities, including aloe vera, eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil.7 Procuring ingredients and formulating


products that align with the values of the health- conscious consumer is essential for maximising this growing commercial opportunity. Consumers frequently reject ingredients they perceive to be irritating to the skin, carcinogenic or negatively impacting their biological functions in favour of ingredients such as essential oils, which have an established association with health and medicine. Therefore, evidencing the benefits of a


naturally sourced ingredient with scientific research can improve consumer trust in a product due to their familiarity with an ingredient and its uses, and manufacturers can usefully promote scientific data and relevant, recognised certification, to demonstrate ingredient and product safety and enhance their products’ credibility.


In the insect repellent market, for example,


Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), also known as Eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclised (EC Oil (H/C)), is a naturally sourced active substance used in insect repellents, and is effective against a range of biting insects and other arthropods. Following extensive, rigorous safety assessments, the substance has been proven to have no phototoxic potential, is non- mutagenic and does not affect reproduction or dermal development. Citriodiol®, the registered trade name for


the active EC Oil (H/C), is manufactured by Citrefine and supplied ready for use to insect repellent formulators and manufacturers. EC Oil (H/C) typically contains an average of 71% p-methane-3,8-diol (PMD) and is synergistically enhanced by the remaining naturally occurring plant oil constituents not contained in synthetic PMD, increasing its overall repellence. The substance is highly adaptable for


different formulation options including pump sprays, roll-ons, wet wipes, bag on valves and emulsion products, frequently preferred by consumers as a result of the impact of traditional (LPG) aerosol application on both health and the environment due to the aerosol emission contributing to photochemical smog.13


Sustainability & environmental impact Sustainability is no longer just a trend in the personal care industry; it is an integral element


April 2022 PERSONAL CARE


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