Everything Great About Grapefruit and Orange

Grapefruit & Orange is one of our most-loved blends – we’ve even heard rumours of a celebrity hairstylist recommending the shampoo to their clients! And it’s no wonder; when these two citrus fruits get together, they can do great things for your skin, hair and sense of smell. So, what exactly is so wonderful about grapefruit and orange essential oils?

As with any essential oil, these highly-concentrated citrus oils should never be applied directly to the skin and should always be mixed with a carrier oil.

Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil is made by pressing the skin of the fruit – and it contains much of the goodness that makes it a healthy food. These nutrients aren’t just beneficial when they’re eaten; they’re also valuable ingredients in skin and haircare.

When it comes to skincare, grapefruit essential oil is bursting with vitamin C, an antioxidant which is known to brighten and hydrate skin – and even support the production of collagen. It’s also packed with other antioxidants, which are known to protect skin from free radicals. Then there are the fruit acids, which are believed to help with exfoliation. And thanks to the presence of d-limonene in the grapefruit peel, it’s also thought to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. All this makes grapefruit essential oil an effective cleanser that is often used to help with acne.

Grapefruit oil has plenty to offer hair, too: all the above benefits can help keep the scalp clean and healthy. It keeps excess sebum in check and may help reduce dandruff. And the vitamins and minerals in the oil are thought to lead to shiny, lustrous locks.

As well as giving hair and skin a beautiful boost, grapefruit oil is known to deliver aromatherapy benefits. Its bright, uplifting scent is thought to boost focus and concentration and improve mood. As a fan of our Grapefruit & Orange Body Wash wrote in a recent review:

“In our home it is also known as 'Bottled Sunshine' because its zingy zesty grapefruit aroma gives me a wonderful lift to my mood and can be smelt all around the flat.”

Benefits of Orange Essential Oil

So, what has the other half of this citrussy couple got to offer? Plenty, it turns out.

Orange oil, sometimes known as sweet orange oil, is also pressed from the peel of the fruit. Just like grapefruit oil, the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in orange oil are a winning combination for skin. Like grapefruit peel, orange peel contains d-limonene This means the essential oil is antimicrobial and has been known to help calm blemishes, while its anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce irritation and redness. Orange peel oil also contains carotenoids, a type of fruit pigment that it is believed to contribute to a radiant glow.

If orange oil is such a dazzling skincare ingredient, what can it do for hair? Again, many of the properties that make orange oil good for the skin mean it is also good for the scalp. And (we may have mentioned this before) healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. The vitamins and minerals in orange oil are thought to deeply nourish hair from the follicles, which may result in glossier, thicker hair.

As for aromatherapy, sweet orange oil is refreshing and cheerful. It is believed to help lift low mood and encourage feelings of calm, bringing a spa-like scent into your bathroom.

With all the positives of these two citrus essential oils in mind, it’s easy to see why our Grapefruit & Orange range is loved by so many.