Seamus Hammond
Victoria's Secret's Bombshell perfume may be more than just a fragrance—it could also be a mosquito repellent. A 2015 study found that the perfume can repel mosquitoes for up to two hours, almost as effectively as traditional DEET insect repellent. Researchers were surprised by this finding, as previous literature suggested that fruity, floral scents attract mosquitoes. While the exact mechanism behind Bombshell's repellent effect is unknown, scientists hypothesize that it may be due to the perfume masking the natural scent that attracts mosquitoes. However, it's important to note that the study used a high concentration of perfume, and more research is needed to determine if the fragrance can effectively repel mosquitoes at normal concentrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Repels mosquitoes for up to 2 hours |
| Tested Mosquito Species | Yellow fever mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito |
| Tested Products | Cutter brand repellents, Avon bath oil, VS Bombshell, vitamin B1 skin patch |
| Effectiveness Compared to Other Products | Less effective than products containing DEET, more effective than organic mosquito repellents and vitamin B1 skin patch |
| Possible Reason for Effectiveness | Masked the natural smell of the volunteer, which attracts mosquitoes |
| Notes | Purple passion fruit, Shangri-La peony, and vanilla orchid |
| Ingredient List | Confidential |
| Recommendation | Researchers advise against using perfume as an insect repellent |
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What You'll Learn
- A 2015 study found that Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume can repel mosquitoes for up to 120 minutes
- The study tested two common mosquito species: the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito
- Scientists hypothesise that the perfume may work by masking the natural scent that attracts mosquitoes
- The perfume contains purple passion fruit, Shangri-La peony, and vanilla orchid—however, these ingredients are not known to deter mosquitoes
- While Victoria's Secret Bombshell is effective, DEET is still the most reliable mosquito repellent
A 2015 study found that Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume can repel mosquitoes for up to 120 minutes
Victoria's Secret's Bombshell fragrance has been found to be an effective mosquito repellent. A 2015 study found that the perfume can repel mosquitoes for up to 120 minutes or 2 hours. The study, conducted by researchers from New Mexico State University, tested leading brands of bug spray, bath oil, and perfume products to determine their effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes.
The researchers selected Victoria's Secret Bombshell fragrance as one of the test subjects received it as a birthday present. The perfume was tested on two common mosquito species: the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito, which are known to transmit diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya. The researchers measured the number of mosquitoes that were repelled by the fragrance over time.
The results showed that Victoria's Secret Bombshell effectively repelled both species of mosquitoes for up to two hours. This was surprising to the researchers, as previous literature suggested that fruity and floral scents attracted mosquitoes. However, it is important to note that the amount of perfume used in the study was higher than normal concentrations, and the researchers cautioned against relying on perfume as an insect repellent in real-life situations.
While the specific ingredient responsible for the repellency has not been identified, scientists hypothesize that the fragrance may have masked the natural smell of the volunteer, which is what typically attracts mosquitoes. Overall, while Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume may provide some protection against mosquitoes, insect repellents containing DEET or lemon eucalyptus oil are still recommended for the most effective mosquito protection.
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The study tested two common mosquito species: the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito
The study that found Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume to be an effective mosquito repellent tested two common mosquito species: the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. Both of these mosquito species are known to transmit dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, and other diseases. The researchers chose these two particular species because they are known to be attracted to human scent.
The experiment was designed to test whether different household products, including bug sprays, bath oils, and perfumes, attracted or repelled mosquitoes. To do this, the researchers placed one sprayed hand and one gloved hand of one of the study authors into separate ports. The mosquitoes, which were being kept in a holding tube, were then released into the ports. If the mosquitoes were attracted to the scent, they flew toward the bare hand. If they were repelled, they fluttered to the opposite tube or did not move around.
The researchers found that Victoria's Secret Bombshell fragrance repelled both species of mosquitoes for up to 120 minutes. This was a surprising result, as previous literature had suggested that fruity, floral scents attracted mosquitoes. However, it is important to note that the amount of perfume used in the experiment (around 0.5 mL) was much higher than what would typically be applied, and the researchers acknowledged that in normal concentrations, the fragrance may not have the same effect.
While the study provides interesting insights into the potential mosquito-repelling properties of Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume, it is important to remember that the tested mosquito species are only two out of many, and the results may not be generalizable to all mosquito populations. Additionally, as noted by one of the researchers, Dr. Shockley, the perfumes were included in the study as an afterthought rather than a purposeful selection. Therefore, it is advisable to take these findings with a grain of salt and continue to rely on proven mosquito repellents, such as those containing DEET, for effective protection against mosquito bites.
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Scientists hypothesise that the perfume may work by masking the natural scent that attracts mosquitoes
Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume has been found to repel mosquitoes effectively for up to 2 hours in certain studies. While the specific ingredient responsible for this effect remains unknown, scientists have hypothesised that the perfume may work by masking the natural scent that attracts mosquitoes.
The scent of Bombshell was tested alongside other leading brands of bug spray, bath oils, and perfumes to determine whether they attracted or repelled mosquitoes. The researchers were surprised to find that, contrary to their expectations, the mosquitoes were not attracted to the person wearing the Victoria's Secret perfume but were instead repelled by it.
The researchers originally selected Victoria's Secret Bombshell for testing because one of their test subjects had received it as a birthday present, making it a random choice. However, the results indicated that the perfume could be an effective mosquito repellent when used in high concentrations.
While the exact mechanism behind the repellent effect remains unclear, scientists suspect that it may be related to the perfume's ability to mask the natural scent that mosquitoes are drawn to. This hypothesis suggests that the fragrance may act as a barrier, preventing mosquitoes from detecting and being attracted to the wearer's natural odour.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of Victoria's Secret Bombshell as a mosquito repellent may vary in real-life settings, and it is not intended to replace traditional mosquito repellents containing DEET, which are still considered the most effective form of protection against mosquito bites.
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The perfume contains purple passion fruit, Shangri-La peony, and vanilla orchid—however, these ingredients are not known to deter mosquitoes
Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume has been found to repel mosquitoes effectively for up to 2 hours. While the exact reason for this is not yet known, scientists have hypothesised that it could be because the fragrance masks the natural smell of the wearer, which is what attracts mosquitoes.
The main notes in the perfume are purple passion fruit, Shangri-La peony, and vanilla orchid. However, these ingredients are not known to deter mosquitoes. Cosmetic chemist and founder of FanLoveBeauty, Ginger King, notes that while studies clearly indicate that the scent of Bombshell can repel mosquitoes, she cannot be sure if the formula contains any ingredients that are known mosquito repellents or just the notes.
In addition, detailed lists of the ingredients in perfumes are often kept confidential, except for known allergens, which must be declared for consumer safety. This makes it difficult to determine the exact ingredients in Victoria's Secret Bombshell and whether any of them contribute to its mosquito-repelling properties.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of Bombshell as a mosquito repellent may also depend on the concentration used. In the experiments conducted by researchers, a relatively high concentration of the perfume (around 0.5 mL) was applied to the volunteer's hand. At normal concentrations, the fragrance may not have the same effect in repelling mosquitoes.
While Victoria's Secret Bombshell has been shown to have some mosquito-repelling properties, it is not as effective as products containing DEET, one of the most common active ingredients in insect repellents. Therefore, it is recommended to use insect repellents containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus as the best way to protect against mosquito bites.
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While Victoria's Secret Bombshell is effective, DEET is still the most reliable mosquito repellent
Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume has been found to be an effective mosquito repellent. In a study conducted by researchers from New Mexico State University, the fragrance was shown to repel mosquitoes for up to two hours. The researchers were surprised by this finding, as they had expected the perfume's fruity and floral scent to attract mosquitoes.
While Victoria's Secret Bombshell is an effective mosquito repellent, it is important to note that it is not as potent as products containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), one of the most common active ingredients in insect repellents. DEET-based repellents were found to be the most effective at keeping mosquitoes away, with the second author of the study, Immo Hansen, noting that they personally use a 30% DEET repellent when venturing outdoors.
The effectiveness of Victoria's Secret Bombshell as a mosquito repellent may be attributed to its ability to mask the natural scent of an individual, which is what typically attracts mosquitoes. However, it is worth mentioning that the study only tested two species of mosquitoes, and the perfume was included as an afterthought rather than a purposeful selection.
Although Victoria's Secret Bombshell can be a suitable alternative to traditional mosquito repellents, it is essential to consider the potential limitations. Firstly, the study used a high concentration of the perfume, and it is unclear if the fragrance would have the same effect when used in normal concentrations. Secondly, the specific ingredient in the perfume responsible for repelling mosquitoes remains unknown, making it challenging to determine its reliability as a repellent consistently.
In conclusion, while Victoria's Secret Bombshell can offer some protection against mosquitoes, DEET-based repellents remain the most reliable option for effective and long-lasting mosquito protection.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to a study conducted by researchers from New Mexico State University, Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume was found to repel mosquitoes for up to 2 hours.
While the exact ingredient responsible for repelling mosquitoes is unknown, scientists hypothesize that the perfume's scent masks the natural smell of the wearer, which is what attracts mosquitoes in the first place.
No, products containing DEET are more effective at repelling mosquitoes. However, Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume performed better than many organic mosquito repellents on the market.
Natural alternatives to repel mosquitoes include lavender oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, and catnip extract. However, these options may have limited effectiveness compared to DEET-based repellents.
Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume is available for purchase through the official Victoria's Secret website and select retailers. Online retailers such as Amazon and eBay may also offer this product.
