Zesty and fresh, grapefruits are not only just plain tasty, but they’re also good for the skin. Grapefruits are high in spermidine, a naturally-occurring compound that aids in cell growth and maturation. Many studies have been conducted on this compound with results showcasing its potential in helping to turn back the clock on a cellular level. Also found in mushrooms, aged cheese, various legumes and products of soy, spermidine has been found to prolong the life of various vertebrates and has even shown positive effects on liver and heart health. This makes spermidine a great all-rounder when it comes to your health, not just of the skin but also the body.
The antioxidant lycopene is also found in grapefruit, and is responsible for its vibrant pink hue. It helps to fight dermal aging by promoting cellular regeneration and is therefore a great anti-aging ally when it comes to reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Grapefruit’s vitamin C content also contributes towards boosting skin vibrancy and wrinkle reduction by supporting the skin’s collagen production process. A single grapefruit has been thought to contain more vitamin C than that of an orange. Just one of these fruits is reported to house 120% of your daily vitamin C intake, or around 72mg. At nearly 92% water, these exotic fruits are also very hydrating, which is good news for your skin.
As we’ve detailed on our website, grapefruit essential oil is a great skin detoxifier. Alongside being antimicrobial, it’s an excellent excess oil fighter and can be used to help tone and calm oily and acne-prone skin.
Like all citrus oils, however, grapefruit is photosensitive. Oils that are photosensitive can produce what is known as a phototoxic reaction when exposed to sunlight. This reaction is typically characterized as looking and feeling like sunburn, and typically results in and around a 24 hour period. Citrus-based oils include lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, lime and various types of orange. If you want to get the most out of citrus essential oils, apply them at night where there is no chance of being exposed to UV. An additional benefit of applying them as part of your nightly routine is that they also have longer to soak into your skin.
Another word of warning – it’s also worth being aware that grapefruit juice and essential oil can potentially have a negative effect on medication like statins. This is due to statins being metabolized by the enzyme CYP3A4, the effects of which are impeded by grapefruit juice. This results in the liver making less of this enzyme which can mean that such medications are not as effective as they normally are. In contrast to what you might assume given this information, however, grapefruit essential oil doesn’t contain dihydroxybergamottin, which is the inhibitor responsible for messing with your meds. That isn’t to say grapefruit essential oil will have no effect on your medication, but the risk is significantly lower. This is because, though devoid of dihydroxybergamottin, the essential oil is home to the naturally-occurring chemical compound bergamottin. However, unlike dihydroxybergamottin, bergamottin packs a much weaker punch which means that you would have to consume a significant quantity for it to have an effect.
If you’d like additional information about grapefruit and other such essential oils, visit our Essential Oils Glossary to find out more.