6 Essential Oils That Can Soothe Bug Bites & How To Use Them

An unfortunate side effect of summertime outings, bug bites can be a real drag. Though scratching provides in-the-moment relief, it only makes bites more painful in the long run and could potentially cause infection. Here's how to skip the scratch and use essential oils to soothe inflamed skin the next time you meet a hungry mosquito.

When properly diluted (more on that later), these oils can be applied to bites multiple times a day. "Apply one drop to bug bites as needed, avoiding the eye area, and washing your hands after application," natural skin care expert and founder of Osmia Organics Sarah Villafranco, M.D., tells mbg. "You'll want to apply them right away for best results."

Just like lavender oil can help calm the minds before bedtime, it can be relaxing and rejuvenating for the skin too. Villafranco points to research on its ability to minimize swelling1 and optimize healing2, while integrative medicine doctor Taz Bhatia, M.D., has likened its active compound, linalool, to a natural disinfectant.

"Tea tree essential oil is a great choice to support anti-itching and anti-swelling," says Valencia McClure, certified aromatherapist and founder of The Artistry of Essential Oils. Extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia trees of Australia, this germ-fighting oil can also be helpful during cold and flu season, so hold on to it after the sun sets on summer.

The cooling rush of peppermint is a quick salve for hot, itchy bites, and its invigorating scent can also help boost alertness3 and act as a quick pick-me-up.

In her 40 years as a board-certified dermatologist, Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, has seen many patients successfully soothe bites with chamomile. Good for more than a calming cup of tea, the chamomile plant4 has soothing and anti-inflammatory effects on skin.

Like peppermint, eucalyptus is cooling, and its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a popular choice for topical application.

A less obvious pick for bites, basil also has antimicrobial anti-inflammatory properties. "Basil is known in the natural medicine world to be a natural insecticide, so it helps to prevent bug bites and to treat the skin in the event you have been bitten," McClure tells mbg.

In contrast to the cooling, calming oils that made the list, warming oils could do more harm than good when applied to bites. Villafranco recommends steering clear of heat-inducing ones like cinnamon, black pepper, oregano, or ginger, as they could increase itching and swelling.

Many oils will cause irritation when applied directly to skin, so you'll want to dilute them in a carrier oil such as argan, jojoba, or rosehip seed first. These carrier oils are nourishing to the skin but don't contain the same potent properties that essential oils do, making them safe to apply in high amounts. For tiny clusters of bug bites, Villafranco likes to use a 10% concentration blend, meaning 1 part essential oils to 9 parts carrier oil. Note that this concentration is too high to use on larger patches of skin; if you're looking to incorporate essential oils into your everyday skin care routine, Ciraldo says to keep it below 5%.

Here, McClure shares her favorite recipe for a bug bite skin soother. It combines some of the oils mentioned into a floral and fresh blend that can be stowed away in a hiking pack or perched on a backyard table. Remember to be diligent about dilution and wash your hands after application to avoid accidentally getting any oils in your eyes or mouth.

Makes a 2-oz. jar's worth

Combine ingredients in a 2-oz. glass jar (make sure it's amber-colored so that light can't penetrate) and store at room temperature.

Don't have essential oils on hand? Chamomile tea can also be applied to bug bites for some relief, and honey, aloe, and oatmeal all have anti-itch properties too. Ciraldo also says that applying an ice cube to a new bite as soon as you see it can help prevent redness and irritation down the line. One thing that won't help? A hot shower, so avoid those after a long and bug-filled day outside. If irritating lesions or rashes persist for days or start to spread, she recommends consulting your primary care physician or derm.

Once you've iced a new bug bite, cooling essential oils can help stop it from becoming an itchy pain. Whip them up into an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory blend, being sure to dilute them in neutral carrier oils before applying to the affected patch of skin. Then, go forth and enjoy dusky summer nights outdoors unencumbered by itch—but maybe use more bug spray next time?