In becoming the UK's leading natural insect repellent, a significant amount of scientific work and knowledge has occurred (and continues to occur!) to formulate our products and recommendations.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and other testing facilities have clinically proven in their insectary laboratories that our biocidal lines offer 100% efficacy*. We also collaborate with other prestigious scientific organisations elsewhere in the world.
We only source ethically manufactured, naturally certified ingredients. We overcome the misconception that natural insect repellents don't perform as effectively as DEET and are now the bestselling natural insect repellent in the UK.
Here is some of the science behind incognito®'s multi-award winning biocidal lines.
Science Made Easy
PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol) doesn't sound like a natural compound, but it is completely plant-based, derived from citrus species such as citronella. However, not all PMD is from the same plant. The one we use is made from the Java citronella (Cymbopogan winterianus) herb. The other citronella species is the less potent C. nardus. To create our highly effective active ingredient, Java citronella leaves undergo a specialised laboratory process that greatly enhances its potency, removes impurities, and results in a refined, turbocharged version of citronella-based PMD. It can also be synthesised from other citrus plants.
To be classified as a tropical-strength insect repellent, PMD must be present at a minimum concentration of 20%. These solutions are clinically proven to protect against malaria when used in conjunction with an impregnated bed net (read this article).
incognito® contains 21% PMD in the finished product, placing it firmly above the recognised maximum-strength threshold. Every spray, lotion, roll-on and sunblock in our biocidal range uses high-purity Citrepel® 75 as its active ingredient.
One thing that often causes confusion is the difference between the ingredient before it's formulated into a product and the finished insect repellent you buy. Citrepel® 75 is the high-quality PMD ingredient we use, but it isn't the same as the amount of PMD in the final bottle. When comparing insect repellents, the important figure is the PMD concentration in the finished product that you apply to your skin.
The effectiveness of an insect repellent is not determined by PMD concentration alone. The quality of the overall formulation and how it performs in independent testing are equally important in delivering reliable, long-lasting protection.
PMD works by masking the human scent cues that mosquitoes use to locate people. The more active you are, the more of these attractants you produce, which is one reason runners, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts often receive more bites. Mosquitoes can detect some of these chemical signals, known as kairomones, from remarkable distances. This is why we often describe PMD as acting like Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak, helping to make you incognito®.
Unlike many synthetic insect repellents, PMD does not interfere with an insect's nervous system, providing effective protection through a completely different mode of action.
When comparing insect repellents, it's easy to assume that a higher PMD concentration automatically means better protection. In reality, the effectiveness of an insect repellent depends on much more than simply the percentage of the active ingredient.
Some insect repellents use higher PMD concentrations of 30–40%. While this means they contain more PMD per application, independent testing has shown that a carefully developed formulation can deliver exceptional protection without relying solely on a higher concentration of PMD.
Independent consumer testing by Which? found:
"More expensive but still effective at repelling insects without the harsh chemicals, Incognito Insect Repellent Pump-Spray (£13.99) uses plant-derived PMD rather than synthetic chemicals and successfully protected volunteers for nine solid hours. It is even safe for babies from six months old."
— Which?
This independent assessment supports incognito®'s carefully developed formulation, demonstrating that effective insect protection depends on more than simply the concentration of the active ingredient.
Unlike some higher-strength formulations that can feel sticky, have a strong medicinal odour or irritate sensitive skin, incognito®
achieves the same 9-hour protection using a 21% PMD formulation. The result is a product that feels light on the skin, has a fresh citrus fragrance and is suitable for babies over six months old.
44 countries are now malaria-free, Egypt being the latest. There were 263 million malaria cases and 600,000 deaths in 2023; therefore, the deadliest mosquito-borne disease is on the decline again from over one million deaths earlier this century. Dengue fever is rapidly catching up, with a record 14 million cases in 2024 (read this article). The real number of cases and fatalities is, in all likelihood, well above the official documented figure because of underreporting: the illness is often difficult to diagnose and can be mistaken for other sicknesses. False positives are also common. Dengue awareness is now an important facet of our business.
In addition, there are quite a few other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as Zika, that people need to guard against. Although all of the above infections are on the rise, there are more quality insect repellents (IRs) available than ever before. However, only IRs containing 30% DEET and 20% PMD or above give complete protection against these dangerous vectors, according to the CDC, NHS and other leading health authorities.
At a 21% final bottle concentration, incognito® exceeds the recognised tropical-strength threshold and has been independently tested to provide up to nine hours of protection. This demonstrates that real-world performance depends on the complete formulation rather than simply increasing the concentration of the active ingredient.
There are two other IRs also in the maximum effectiveness category, but neither of these provides 100% protection everywhere in the world.
Vaccinations
Unfortunately, the dengue vaccine has been withdrawn and there is no cure either.
Anti-malarials are used both for protection and cure, but none give total protection. Malarone provides around 90% protection, meaning you can still contract malaria while taking it, as our Founder, Howard Carter, found out the hard way.
Only PMD concentrations of 20% and above have been shown to provide 100% protection for four hours or more against both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes under laboratory testing.
The latter is now present in small numbers within the UK and can carry dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and other neglected tropical diseases. We are not doctors, so please consult your GP if you are unsure about anything on our website.
Howard writes regularly in the press including peer-reviewed journals, The Times, Sunday Times, the Daily Mail, Mirror and express, pharmacy and health magazines. He frequently appears on BBC and independent radio and is an accredited BBC expert.
Howard Carter became one of the UK’s foremost bite prevention experts, after contracting malaria and dengue in the same year. He lectures doctors and has coached numerous expeditions, including Royal Geographical, along with many celebrities, on avoiding bites from insects and ticks.
Howard oversees all incognito testing at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and works closely with Professor James Logan. He excelled at Biology and Chemistry in education and in earlier days ran a laboratory dealing with quality assurance and quality control. Howard is a Master NLP practitioner and has a diploma from the University of London, in the Biological Basis of Human Behaviour.
Find out more about Howard's recent interviews and in the media appearances here.
Sugarcane plastic is a type of plastic made from sugarcane instead of oil. It looks and works just like regular plastic but is much better for the planet. That’s because sugarcane is a renewable material, absorbing carbon dioxide as it grows, reducing greenhouse gases. Plus, as a consumer, you can recycle sugarcane plastic, making it a more eco-friendly option compared to traditional plastics.
Why Use It for Our Bottles and Tubes?
All our bottles and tubes are made using a mix of sugarcane plastic and recycled plastic. This helps us cut down on waste and lower our environmental footprint while still creating strong, safe, and reliable packaging.
We created a natural and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic sponges with our Luxury Loofah. The Loofah is made from the fruit of organic luffa plants. Once the luffa plants mature, they’re harvested and dried. The outer layer is removed to reveal the fibrous core, which is cleaned and shaped to create the perfect texture for exfoliation. These natural fibres are soft yet effective at gently scrubbing away dead skin and odours that attract insects.
If you require any further information please contact us at info@lessmosquito.com
