Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) is a hybrid between an orange and a pomelo that is native to the Caribbean island of Barbados. There are many varieties with different skin and pulp colours, the best known to consumers being pink and red grapefruits as they have the sweetest taste.

At Lush, we use fresh pink and white grapefruit depending on our product inventors’ wishes but also availability on the food market. The essential oil is made from white grapefruit only; a variety with a yellow pulp that is a favourite in the juice and perfume industries.

-They are bursting with salicylic acid, a natural fruit acid that helps exfoliate and cleanse the skin and scalp.
-The sweet and zesty aroma of their fresh juice is uplifting. It is often associated with the feeling of a bright morning.
-Their high vitamin C content helps support a smooth and bright-looking complexion.

Grapefruit’s sweet and citrusy aroma is about 90% limonene, an aromatic compound with antioxidant properties. This is why the oil is thought to help support a firmer-looking skin appearance. It really is a terrific fruit!

Finding a good, direct source for grapefruit oil has been a challenge over the years as the white grapefruit variety is often overshadowed by food industry trends, which can influence the quality and availability of the oil. Fortunately, after some research, Lush buyers found an essential oil processing company in the USA that can meet our production needs.

The fresh grapefruits are purchased from specialist distributors. Depending on the time of year, they source products from different countries to try and achieve availability all year round. They work hard to supply as much organic product as possible and provide the highest quality available the rest of the time.