Love Bites Only began with a simple frustration: why did every insect repellent have to feel sticky, harsh and unpleasant to use?

I grew up on the beaches of Sydney, Australia, and spent more than 15 years travelling the world. From long summer evenings outdoors to far-flung destinations, insect repellent was always part of life—but it was never something I enjoyed using.

My discomfort with insect repellent goes back much further than adulthood. Some of my earliest memories are of childhood barbecues in the garden: the sharp smell of aerosol sprays lingering in the air, coils smouldering nearby, and being hurriedly sprayed as the sun went down.

It was always something you endured rather than enjoyed—a necessary inconvenience that felt harsh, intrusive and completely disconnected from the moment you were meant to be in.

Years later, while travelling through South East Asia, I found myself relying on conventional insect repellent every day. After weeks of repeated use, I developed a rash—a clear reaction to something my skin simply couldn't tolerate. Not long afterwards, while working as a travelling nanny, I noticed the same harsh products being used around young children. It confirmed what I had always felt instinctively: there had to be a better way.

The idea for Love Bites Only came together in the lavender fields of Provence, where I instinctively reached for essential oils to soothe an insect bite. It was a quiet moment of clarity. Protection didn't have to feel aggressive to be effective.

Everything about traditional insect repellent felt outdated. Sticky sprays. Overpowering chemical smells. Products that irritated skin, disrupted daily routines and felt completely out of place in a considered life.

I kept asking myself: why does something so essential still feel so uncompromising?

I didn't want to choose between protection and comfort. I didn't want to hide a product away or avoid reapplying it. I believed caring for your skin shouldn't stop the moment you step outdoors.

So I decided to create something better.

Love Bites Only was born from the belief that insect protection could be skincare-first, beautifully designed and genuinely enjoyable to use. A thoughtfully formulated roll-on that helps repel mosquitoes and other biting insects while soothing and nourishing your skin—something that feels as considered as the rest of your daily essentials.

I wanted a product that lived with you. In your bag. On your table. In your routine. Something that looked beautiful, smelled good and worked effectively—without harshness or compromise.

Today, Love Bites Only reflects how I live and what I value: intention over excess, form elevated by function, and everyday products that quietly do more than expected.

This isn't just insect repellent.

It's skincare-first protection, thoughtfully designed for people who want to enjoy every moment outdoors without compromise.

Bree xx
Founder of Love Bites Only

Love Bites Only

Love Bites Only is a 100% natural, DEET-free roll-on insect repellent created for people who want effective protection without compromising on skincare. Designed for everyday use, travel and outdoor living, our formulas help repel mosquitoes and other biting insects while soothing and nourishing your skin. Vegan, cruelty-free and thoughtfully made for modern life.