Every summer, the same choice shows up. Spray something that works but smells like a servo forecourt and sits on your skin for hours. Or use something "natural" that smells lovely and does close to nothing.
We didn't love either option.
Bush Balm and Bite Balm are the new outdoor pair from Viva. One goes on before you head outside. The other soothes any stray bites.
They're live, they're real, and we'd love you to try them before we make a big song and dance about it.
Two balms, two very different jobs
Bush Balm is preventative. Citronella, neem and lemon eucalyptus oils are the traditional backbone of natural insect deterrents, and they're the backbone of this one too, blended with cocoa butter and shea butter so it actually feels good on skin instead of just smelling like a camping trip. Swipe it on exposed skin before you head out and it helps naturally deter mosquitoes and other pesky insects while locking in moisture and creating a gentle barrier against the elements.
Bite Balm is curative. No citronella or neem in this one, it's built around lavender, lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass instead, chosen to calm rather than repel. Cocoa butter, shea butter and vitamin E do the nourishing work underneath, helping soothe irritated skin and leave it feeling soft and comforted again.
What we won't tell you
We won't tell you Bush Balm makes you invisible to mosquitoes for eight hours. Nobody's balm does that, and anyone claiming otherwise is selling you a story, not a product. It's the same standard we hold every "natural" claim to, the kind we've written about in Is 'Natural' Just Greenwashing? How to Actually Check.
What we will tell you: citronella, neem and lemon eucalyptus have a long history of use in natural insect deterrents, and that's exactly why they're in this formula. Reapply it the way you'd reapply sunscreen, especially in humid conditions or after you've been in water, and it earns its place in your kit.
Same honesty with Bite Balm. It's not an antihistamine and it's not going to make a welt disappear in sixty seconds. What it does is calm and comfort skin that's already irritated, with ingredients that are gentle enough to reapply as often as you need to.
Built for the way Australians actually go outside
Both balms come in a compact push-up tube, small enough for a backpack pocket, a glovebox or the side pouch of a bag you never quite empty between trips.
They're handmade in Australia, vegan, palm oil-free, and safe for skin from age two and up (patch test first if you're prone to reactions, same as any new product). No aluminium, no synthetic fragrance, not ingredients you can't pronounce.
And because this is Viva, the tube is home-compostable. Once it's empty, it goes in your compost or under a bush, not in a bin, not in the ocean, not in a fish. Here's why we chose compostable over recyclable in the first place, if you want the full reasoning.
If you want to try both without committing to a full-size Bush Balm and a full-size Bite Balm separately, The Full Collection: Natural Bush Range 2 Pack puts one of each in your kit for less than buying them apart.
Where they actually earn their keep
Camping, obviously. But also the backyard barbecue at dusk when the mozzies show up right as the snags go on. The bushwalk. The fishing trip. The gardening session that always somehow takes longer than planned. The kids' footy training.
Anywhere the outdoors is worth doing properly, one of these two balms has a reason to be in the bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Bush Balm and Bite Balm?
Bush Balm goes on before you're outside and is built around citronella, neem and lemon eucalyptus oils, traditionally used to help naturally deter insects. Bite Balm goes on after, built around lavender, lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass to help calm and comfort irritated skin.
Does Bush Balm actually keep insects away?
It's formulated with ingredients traditionally used to help naturally deter mosquitoes and other insects, but it's not a registered repellent and we won't pretend it works like DEET. Reapply regularly, especially in humid conditions or after swimming, for the best results.
Can Bite Balm be used on an active bite or sting?
It's designed to help soothe and comfort skin that's already irritated. It's not a medical treatment, so for a serious reaction or sting, see a doctor or pharmacist. For everyday itchiness and irritation, apply as needed.
Are Bush Balm and Bite Balm safe for kids?
Both are suitable for ages two and up. Keep out of reach of children, avoid the eye area, and patch test first if your child has sensitive skin.
What's in Bush Balm and Bite Balm?
Bush Balm contains cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, citronella, neem, lavender, peppermint and lemon eucalyptus oils. Bite Balm contains cocoa butter, shea butter, lavender, lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass oils. Both are vegan, palm oil-free and free from synthetic fragrance.
How do I use them?
Push the base of the tube up slightly to expose a small amount of balm, then swipe directly onto exposed or irritated skin and massage until absorbed. Reapply as needed. Avoid broken skin and the eye area, and store both away from direct sunlight.
Is the packaging really plastic-free?
Yes. Both balms come in a home compostable push-up tube. Once it's empty, it can go straight into your compost or garden.
Real talk.
These two aren't trying to replace your sunscreen or your first aid kit. They're a small, honest addition to it. Bush Balm for before, Bite Balm for after, or grab both in The Full Collection: Natural Bush Range 2 Pack and stop choosing between the two.
They're online right now.