Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Secret Ingredient: Grapefruit

The essential oil of grapefruit is rich in antioxidants (especially vitamin C), helping it boost the immune system and fight free radicals.

Hannah Lee
Hannah LeeAssociate Publisher/Editor
Read Hannah's Posts
May 1, 2009
Secret Ingredient: Grapefruit

 

2 min to read


What it is: Grapefruit is a citrus fruit, whose scientific name is citrus paradisi.

Where it comes from: Thought to be a hybrid of the sour fruit known as a shaddock and a sweet orange, grapefruit was first cultivated in the West Indies. Today, grapefruit is grown primarily in the United States. Grapefruit is picked from a glossy-leaved tree, about 30 feet high, with white flowers and large, pale yellow fruit. The oil glands are embedded deep within the peel and yield a small amount of essential oil, which is extracted by cold expression.

Ad Loading...

Properties: Grapefruit essential oil is known for its antidepressant, diuretic, anti-infectious, astringent, and antiseptic properties. Grapefruit essential oil has a sharp refreshing smell and is either a pale yellow or light ruby color with a watery viscosity.

What it’s good for: Like the fruit itself, the essential oil of grapefruit is rich in antioxidants (especially vitamin C), helping it boost the immune system and fight free radicals. This oil is effective in protecting the body from aging. It has proved its effectiveness in treating anxiety, digestive problems, skin disorders, colds and flu, depression, and cellulite. Due to its highly antimicrobial and astringent properties, it helps fight acne and other skin conditions. It also helps keep the skin clean, acting as a disinfectant. Grapefruit oil also has stimulating effects on the body and on the mind, making it a great ingredient for an energizing massage oil.

Where you’ll find it: Grapefruit essential oil can be found premixed into lotions, creams, and massage oils. You can also get it as a pure oil that can then be mixed into a carrier oil or with other essential oils, especially bergamot, geranium, lavender, and palma rosa oils.

Other uses: It helps protect against colds and flu, is thought to have a positive effect on obesity, and has diuretic properties, helping to remove excess water from the body.

Topics:Wellness
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Wellness

Ad Loading...
Wellness|Articles|Aug 5, 2025

Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks

As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.

Wellness|Articles|Mar 31, 2025

Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections

Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).

Ad Loading...
Wellness|Articles|Jul 3, 2024

Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity

Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.

Ad Loading...