Wellness Encyclopedia: The Benefits of Grapefruit, Plus a DIY Sugar Scrub

Once relegated to fad diets and pictures of “balanced breakfasts”, grapefruits are more than their slightly boring reputation may lead you to believe. These skin-boosting superstars add some much-needed color to the wintertime table while adding some much-needed nutrients to our bodies…

This is the time of year when winter usually (finally) gets the upper hand. After a couple months of toughing it out, overlooking the ice and snow (because #holidaycheer), grinning through the pain of negative temperatures, and skidding across icy sidewalks, many of us reach the end of January with white flags of surrender held high, our minds distracted by fantasies of escaping to warmer locales. Add to that the discomfort of dry skin (the mere sight of our pale, ashy limbs a reminder that it’s summer no more), and well, it’s easy to see why even the strongest winter hold-out might start dreaming of jetting off to somewhere tropical (remember the feeling of sun? Yeah…). The thing is, winter skincare is as much about what you put on your skin as it is what you put in your body. Case in point: Staying hydrated and adding plenty of vitamin C to your routine can support more than your immunity during these cold weather months. Fruits and veggies rich in vitamin C can support healthy skin from the inside out, all year ‘round. Enter: The humble grapefruit.

All about grapefruit:

A hybrid of the Jamaican orange and Indonesian pomelo, grapefruit was once considered “the forbidden fruit” simply because people kept mistaking it for the pomelo (in their defense, the two do look similar). The color varieties of grapefruit (they can be white, pink, orange, deep red, or anywhere in between) are thanks to mutations that were eventually bred into strains.

Benefits of grapefruit:

Grapefruit has been shown to benefit digestion, thanks in part to enzymes, like bromelain, present in the fruit that could help break down food, this could explain why grapefruit has been considered a “diet” food for decades. Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit could support the immune system, aid in the absorption of nutrients, and, when applied topically, benefit the skin. The brightly-pigmented pink and red grapefruits are rich in beta-carotene, which could support the health of cells and slow the signs of aging, and all varieties are packed with antioxidants. Additionally, grapefruit also happens to be a natural source of acne-fighting salicylic acid. When applied to the skin, grapefruit extract could refresh skin and fight breakouts (be sure to speak to a dermatologist or do a patch test to ensure it’s right for you).

How to use grapefruit:

Besides eating it raw (leave the brown sugar behind and give it a chance plain — it’s tasty!) or drinking the juice, grapefruit can be added to chia puddings, smoothies or used to top overnight oats. As part of your skincare routine, grapefruit extract can be mixed with carrier oils, or try the DIY scrub below to help banish dry winter skin.

DIY Grapefruit Sugar Scrub

{makes enough for 1 single use}

Ingredients

Juice from ½ grapefruit

½ cup sugar (plain white sugar is fine)

3 tbsp sweet almond oil

Method

Combine all ingredients in a small dish or bowl and mix to combine. To use, dampen skin with warm water in the shower or bath, then scrub in circular motions on arms and legs (do not use on your face). Rinse. Use within two days of making.

Note: Those with sensitive skin should do a patch test ahead of time. Apply a small amount of scrub to your inner arm and rinse. If no reaction within 24 hours, you’re good to go!

 

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I personally love grapefruit and am so glad it’s in season! Thank you for the DIY sugar scrub recipe as well, looking forward to trying it out ❤️

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

6 years ago

Love this! x

6 years ago

This looks good to me, I’ll have to try it and see the benefits.