V
Vita L. I often take pictures in orchards, parks, gardens and I love how I can just put it on my legs and not worry about insects🙌🏻
R
Rox B. FABBOO! Works amazingly!
Skip to product information
Natural Bug & Tick Repellent For Skin Moose's Hiker's Friend
Real protection — without harsh chemicals.
Naturally Repels Bugs
Essential oils traditionally used to help keep insects away
No Harsh Chemicals
DEET-free, chemical-free, and made with simple ingredients
Safe & Effective
Designed for everyday use without compromising performance
Tallow-Based Balm
Nutrient-rich formula that supports and conditions skin
Stays Where You Apply It
No dripping or spraying — controlled, long-lasting coverage
Skin-Friendly
Hydrates while protecting — not drying like typical repellents
Family-Friendly Option
Gentle formula suitable for daily outdoor use
No Water, No Fillers
Concentrated balm — a little goes a long way
$16.00
FATHER'S DAY SALE
BUY 2, GET 1 FREE
Mix & match any products. Free item must be equal or lesser value.
Add 2 items to get 1 free.
FREE ITEMS EARNED: 0
Description
If you’re trying to avoid harsh sprays but still want real protection, this is for you. Moose’s Hiker’s Friend is a natural bug repellent for skin that’s safe, effective, and chemical-free — no DEET, no synthetic junk, just ingredients your skin actually recognizes.
Built on a base of grass-fed tallow, this balm doesn’t just sit on your skin like typical repellents. It absorbs, conditions, and creates a lasting barrier with a powerful blend of essential oils traditionally used to keep bugs away. No dripping, no overpowering chemical smell — just clean, outdoor-ready protection.
Whether you’re hiking, sitting by a fire, or chasing kids around the yard, this is bug protection you’ll actually feel good using. Simple, natural, and made to work.
Hiker’s Friend is a natural bug repellent balm and a DEET-free bug spray alternative. It is made with plant oils traditionally used to help keep bugs at bay, so it works as a natural mosquito repellent and natural insect repellent. Many hikers also reach for it as a tick repellent for humans on the trail.
Natural bug balm vs. natural bug spray: what is the difference? A natural bug spray mists on fast but can drip and fade. This balm stays put on exposed skin longer. It carries no alcohol, no aerosol, and no synthetic fragrance. For hikers who want steady, DEET-free coverage, a balm is simple to reapply.
Ingredients
Scent/Flavor
Available Sizes
Disclaimer
Our products are made in small batches using simple, natural ingredients—just like something you’d make at home. We don’t make medical claims, and our products aren’t intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. These statements haven’t been evaluated by the FDA. If you have specific health concerns, it’s always wise to check with your healthcare provider.
Because we don’t use preservatives, natural variations in scent and texture are normal. Your product may soften in warm temperatures or firm up when cool—this is part of its natural nature. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid introducing water to keep it at its best.
Facts vs Fiction
Myth
Truth
Natural Bug Balm Myths
- You need DEET for every outdoor adventure.Many hikers, campers, and outdoor families choose a natural bug repellent balm — a natural insect repellent and DEET-free alternative made with traditional botanical oils.
- Natural bug balms don’t hold up outdoors.A bug and tick balm stick stays where you apply it, making it easy to cover exposed skin before hiking, camping, fishing, or spending time outdoors.
- Bug protection products have to be sprays.A natural bug repellent stick provides targeted application without aerosol sprays — a tidy DEET-free bug spray alternative that stays where you put it.
- Outdoor protection products can’t be good for your skin.Moose’s Hiker’s Friend combines beef tallow, botanical oils, and a skin-nourishing base designed for outdoor adventures.
- Natural bug products are greasy and messy.A well-formulated bug balm glides on smoothly for mess-free use as a natural mosquito repellent and tick repellent for humans while hiking and camping.
- Small-batch skincare can’t compete with the big brands.Moose’s Tallow is a family-run maker in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. We handcraft this bug balm in small batches, the same as everything we make. Small batches mean tighter quality control, no fillers, and no cutting corners for shelf life. You get skin care made by people who answer you, not a factory line.
Natural Bug & Tick Repellent For Skin Moose's Hiker's Friend Videos
Watch helpful demos, product information, and customer reviews for this product.
-
The Tick Test!
Why I Started Making Tallow Skincare
Hi, my name is Brian, though around here I don’t mind being called Moose.
I’ve learned most of what I know about skincare from the women in my life, especially my wife and our four daughters, but Moose’s Tallow has truly been a full family project from the beginning.
I started making tallow skincare after a serious health scare forced me to rethink everything I put in my body. Once I eliminated processed foods and focused on real ingredients, another question came up: if what we eat matters that much… what about what we put on our skin?
With a busy home full of people I love, that question mattered a lot. When my daughters told me they were already using tallow for skincare, I decided to learn how to make it myself.
What began as a small project to make better skincare just for my family to bless them eventually turned into something much bigger.
HOW TO USE
Swipe. Explore. Enjoy.
1
Twist
Twist the base to raise a small amount above the rim. Our balm is concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
2
Apply
Swipe onto exposed skin such as arms, legs, neck, and ankles before heading outdoors. Avoid contact with eyes.
3
Reapply
Reapply as needed during extended time outdoors, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Hiker’s Friend FAQ
Everything you need to know about Hiker’s Friend, our natural bug and tick balm stick made with tallow, beeswax, and essential oils for outdoor adventures.
Does it actually help keep bugs away?
Hiker’s Friend is a natural bug balm made with a strong essential oil blend traditionally used by outdoor families.
- Made for mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and everyday outdoor use
- Creates a natural scent barrier on exposed skin
- Best when reapplied during longer hikes, camping trips, or yard work
How strong is it compared to bug spray?
This is a DEET-free bug and tick balm, not a synthetic aerosol spray, so it works best with consistent application.
- No DEET, alcohol, or aerosol propellants
- Great for hiking, camping, fishing, gardening, and daily outdoor use
- A cleaner, skin-friendly alternative to big brand bug spray
How do I use it?
Apply this natural bug repellent stick to exposed skin before heading outside.
- Swipe onto arms, legs, ankles, neck, and other exposed areas
- Reapply as needed during extended time outdoors
- Reapply after sweating, swimming, washing, or towel drying
Where should I apply it for ticks?
For tick-prone areas, focus this bug and tick balm on lower exposed skin and places ticks commonly climb.
- Ankles, feet, and lower legs
- Behind knees and around the waistline
- Any exposed skin before walking through grass, brush, or wooded areas
Will it feel greasy?
Hiker’s Friend is a tallow-based balm, so it feels rich at first but is designed to glide on smoothly and stay where you put it.
- Softens with body heat
- Creates a light, skin-nourishing layer
- No sticky overspray or mist in the air
What does it smell like?
This natural bug balm has a strong, outdoorsy essential oil scent made for the trail, not a perfume counter.
- Citrusy, herbal, and woodsy notes
- Fresh, sharp, and naturally bold
- Designed for outdoor bug defense
What’s inside it?
Hiker’s Friend is made with simple ingredients, including beef tallow, beeswax, oils, and essential oils.
- Tallow for a skin-nourishing base
- Beeswax to help the balm stay in place
- Essential oils traditionally used in natural outdoor products
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
This natural bug repellent balm uses simple ingredients, but the essential oil blend is intentionally strong.
- Patch test before full use
- Avoid eyes, face, broken skin, and sensitive areas
- Use a lighter amount if your skin is sensitive
Can I use it on kids?
Because Hiker’s Friend uses a strong essential oil blend, we do not recommend it for children under age three.
- Use small amounts on older children
- Avoid hands, face, eyes, and sensitive areas
- Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure
How long does it last?
Your Hiker’s Friend bug balm stick should last about 12 months when stored properly.
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep out of direct heat and hot cars
- Reapply as needed when outdoors