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Ingredients › Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD)

Baby skincare · 0–36 months

Is oil of lemon eucalyptus safe for babies?

Oil of lemon eucalyptus in mosquito repellent

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and its active part, PMD, are common in “natural” mosquito repellents. The US CDC and the AAP both say not to use them on children under 3 years. Pikabee flags them on any repellent for a child under three.

What Pikabee flags, by age

0–6 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged. Not for children under 3 years.

6–12 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged. Not for children under 3 years.

12–36 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged until the third birthday.

What it is

OLE is a refined extract of the lemon-scented gum tree, concentrated in PMD. It is sold as a plant-based alternative to DEET in sprays, roll-ons and patches.

Being plant-based does not lower the age limit. The under-3 restriction comes from the product registration in the US and is repeated by the CDC and the AAP.

Names it goes by on labels

Why Pikabee flags it

The US CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both say: do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3 years old. Pikabee flags them on any repellent for a child under three.

Questions parents ask

Is oil of lemon eucalyptus safe for a baby under 6 months?

Flagged. Not for children under 3 years. The US CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both say: do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3 years old.

Is oil of lemon eucalyptus safe for a 6 to 12 month old baby?

Flagged. Not for children under 3 years. The US CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both say: do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3 years old.

Is oil of lemon eucalyptus safe for a 1 to 3 year old?

Flagged until the third birthday. The US CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both say: do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3 years old.

Can I use lemon eucalyptus repellent on my 1 year old?

The CDC and the AAP say not to use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3 years. Pikabee flags it.

What repellent can a baby use?

Ask your pediatrician. The AAP says no repellent under 2 months — use netting over the stroller instead — and from 2 months a product with up to 30% DEET.

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Sources

  1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing mosquito bites: do not use OLE or PMD on children under 3 years.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Choosing an insect repellent for your child.

Last reviewed 6 November 2026.

Related ingredients

Talk to your pediatrician about anything concerning.