Can Your Soap Make You a Mosquito Magnet? New Research Says Yes.

Most people know that mosquitoes are drawn to certain scents, body heat, and carbon dioxide, but a new study suggests that the soap you use could also play a role in how attractive you are to these biting pests. The research highlights how washing with different soaps can alter a person’s natural scent, either repelling mosquitoes or making them more likely to bite.

How Soap Affects Mosquito Attraction

A study published in iScience found that washing with soap changes an individual’s odour profile, influencing how mosquitoes perceive them. Researchers tested four common soap brands—Dial, Dove, Native, and Simple Truth—on four volunteers. Each person had a unique body odour, and the impact of soap varied from one individual to another. Some soap formulations increased mosquito attraction, while others appeared to repel them.

The researchers suggested that the plant-based ingredients in many soaps could be responsible. Since mosquitoes feed on nectar as well as blood, floral and fruity scents may confuse their decision-making, making them more likely to mistake a freshly washed person for a potential food source.

What Makes a Soap More or Less Attractive to Mosquitoes?

More Attractive:

• Floral and fruity scents, which mimic plant nectar
• Ingredients that interact with an individual’s body chemistry to enhance natural attractants
• Certain fatty acids that amplify mosquito-attracting compounds in human sweat

Less Attractive:

• Ingredients found in insect-repellent formulations, such as citronella, lemon, eucalyptus, and neem oil
• Fatty acids derived from coconut oil, which have been shown to deter mosquitoes

While soap choice can have an impact, experts stress that personal care products alone won’t provide full protection against bites. Using scientifically proven insect repellents is the best way to avoid mosquitoes.

The Science Behind Mosquito Attraction

Another study, published in Nature, sheds light on why mosquitoes prefer humans over other animals. Researchers discovered that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread diseases like dengue and Zika virus, have evolved to detect a specific blend of compounds found in human odour. These compounds, many of which are derived from sebum (the oily substance on human skin), activate a distinct part of the mosquito’s brain, helping them distinguish people from animals.

This research confirms that while mosquitoes use carbon dioxide to locate potential hosts, their final choice is guided by a unique human scent profile. The findings could pave the way for better mosquito repellents and even attractants for mosquito traps.

How to Protect Yourself: The CLOAK Guide

At incognito®, we recommend a multi-layered approach to avoid mosquito bites. Our CLOAK guide provides simple yet effective steps for staying protected:

C.L.O.A.K. – A simple acronym for anyone who gets bitten by insects.

• Cover Up: Wear long sleeves and trousers to protect your skin. Boost your protection by soaking clothes in a mix of 10-20 drops of incognito®’s Java Citronella and water for 15 minutes.
• Light and Loose: Opt for light-coloured, loose clothing. Mosquitoes are drawn to dark colours, so keep it bright and breezy.
• Odour Control: Some bodily odours and scented products attract insects. Wash thoroughly with an unscented or citrus product like our Hair & Body Wash morning and night. Use a natural loofah every other day to deep clean your pores.
• Apply Repellent: Use incognito®’s clinically proven Insect Repellent Spray, Roll-on, Lotion, or Mineral Sunblock on exposed skin. Reapply every 4-5 hours or as needed.
• Keep Them Out: Use incognito®’s Room Refresher or Incense Sticks to keep mosquitoes out of your space. Eliminate nearby stagnant water because mosquitoes breed in standing water in as little as five days.

The incognito® Body Care Protection Range

Beyond using repellent, your choice of body care products can help reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes. Our specially formulated range, including Luxury Java Citronella Soap, Hair & Body Wash, and Natural Aftersun & Moisturiser, is designed to cleanse, hydrate, and protect—without the floral or fruity scents that attract mosquitoes. Enriched with Java citronella, neem, and coconut extracts, these products naturally deter insects while keeping your skin nourished and refreshed.

Final Thoughts

While choosing the right soap can play a role in how attractive you are to mosquitoes, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The most effective way to stay bite-free is to follow a holistic approach that combines protective clothing, repellent, and environmental control. Whether you're at home or travelling, incognito®’s award-winning clinically-proven Insect Repellent Range and Body Care Protection Range can help keep mosquitoes at bay—without the need for harsh chemicals.

Stay protected and enjoy the great outdoors, bite-free!