Who Knew? This Victoria's Secret Perfume Doubles As A Mosquito Repellant

Nothing ruins a hike or a relaxing day outdoors than a swarm of mosquitos. While some people are graced with never attracting mosquitoes, others are the friend brought along to keep the pesky insects away from everyone else. If you're in the latter group, you've likely tried almost everything to keep away the biting pests. Sometimes, it feels like anything short of a constant stream of DEET is ineffective.

Interestingly enough, there might be a much more pleasant way to keep yourself from being bitten. It's been trending on TikTok recently that a certain Victoria Secret perfume works as an insect repellent and smells amazing. While you can't trust everything you see on social media, this one has a study from 2015 published in the Journal of Insect Science to back it up.

The study tested several repellents, as well as products said to keep away insects despite not being a bug spray. Alongside EcoSmart organic insect repellent, OFF deep woods insect repellent, and Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard, Victoria Secret's Bombshell perfume was included, and the study showed some rather surprising results.

Victoria Secret's Bombshell is said to smell like vanilla orchid, Shangri-La peony, and purple passion fruit. It's one of Victoria Secret's most popular fragrances in America, and it's said to keep away insects, though it's not clear why. With insect repellent not being the most pleasant spray, many people were eager to try out this hack. 

One of the benefits of perfume over other mosquito repellents is the smell. Many people don't enjoy the scent of standard insect repellents. This one is much more pleasant. There's also the fact that it lasts a long time. Based on the 2015 study, the perfume has the potential to last for 120 minutes, which is longer than some other store-bought mosquito and insect repellents. 

There's also one additional benefit. DEET is one of the most effective ways to keep away mosquitos. However, there are certain potential hazards that make people wary of using it. Victoria Secret's Bombshell is a safer way to keep insects at bay, without as many harmful side effects. There are cheaper and more natural ways to ensure a bug and chemical-free camping experience as well, if you want another alternative, but the smells aren't always as nice. 

While on the surface, this perfume is a great alternative to bug spray, there are a few problems with using Bombshell long-term. The main problem is the cost. Most bug sprays are cheap. For example, OFF!, which works better than Bombshell according to the 2015 study, costs less than $20. Meanwhile, Victoria Secret's perfume costs $60 or more for a 1.7-ounce bottle. If you're looking to avoid traditional bug sprays, especially due to the smell, there are plenty of soothing scents that repel mosquitos like magic and are much cheaper than this perfume. Additionally, if you're looking to keep away pests in your yard, there are plants to help repel pests from your garden naturally. 

Besides the cost, quantity used is another issue. For it to be effective, you need to use about five spritzes, instead of just the typical one or two. While it does keep bugs away, the smell of the perfume at that level is also overwhelming for people and pets, and the once-pleasant smell soon becomes harsh and unbearable. Plus, you will have to reapply every two hours.

During an interview with Allure, the entomology collections manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Dr. Floyd W. Shockley, PhD., also mentions that the perfume may do more harm than good in some ways. It might not be repelling so much as hiding your scent, which means other insects may be interested in you instead.