I have worked as a beauty therapist, a freelance makeup artist, and a retail store manager for a fashion, beauty, and crafts store.

Grapefruit is a fruit I think of as a breakfast fruit. Half a grapefruit was something I often had as my start to the day. It was refreshing, though sometimes a bit bitter, but it always gave you that boost for a busy day ahead.

Grapefruits are much more than a breakfast fruit. Many commercial brands now cite grapefruit extract in their ingredients. It is a popular essential oil in aromatherapy and both the oil and the fruit have many benefits.

I have put together two recipes showing how to use all the fruit. No special equipment is needed, and they only take minutes to make up in your kitchen. You are in control and know exactly what ingredients are going into your skin products. No hidden nasties. How cool is that?

The face mask is best suited for an oily or acne prone skin and a bonus body scrub utilizing the beneficial grapefruit peel so let’s get started.

Benefits of Grapefruit

Contains

• Vitamin C
• Lycopen (phytochemical)
• *Contains Naringin (phytochemical)
• Citric Acid

Can be used as

• Astringent
• Antiseptic
• Antibacterial
• Anti-Inflammatory

Can help with

• Headaches
• Jet Lag
• Muscle Fatigue
• Rashes
• Impetigo
• Fatigue
• Acne
• Oily hair
• Oily Skin

Important Info

When on medication, it is best to seek advice from your doctor as to whether or not it is okay for you to take grapefruit as the *naringin can prevent the liver from breaking down aspirin, calcium channel blockers, cholesterol lowering drugs and other forms of medications.

Face Mask Recipe for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1–2 tsp grapefruit juice (1 small grapefruit)
• 1 tsp sour cream

Equipment

• 2 small bowls
• Hand whisker
• Fork
• Spoon
• Small airtight container
• Face mask brush (optional)

Method

• Beat or whisk the egg white until fluffy.
• Cut the grapefruit in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl until you have the 1 or 2 teaspoons.
• Add the grapefruit juice and the sour cream to the egg white and stir, whisk or beat well to combine the ingredients to a creamy consistency.

To Use

• Start with a thoroughly cleansed face.
• Apply the mask with fingers or a face mask brush, to the face and neck area, avoiding the eye area.
• Leave for 15–20 minutes and remove with tepid water.
• Do a final splash of cold water and pat the skin dry.
• Follow with your regular moisturizer or face balm.
• Any excess face mask may be stored in the airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
• Use maximum twice a week.

Tips

1. Use any excess grapefruit flesh in a fresh fruit salad, or a side salad of rocket, fennel, grapefruit, and a homemade dressing.
2. Don’t throw out the peel! You can use it in the next recipe!

Grapefruit Peel Body Scrub

Ingredients

• 1 tsp grapefruit juice
• 1 tsp grapefruit zest
• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 -3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 capsule or 1/2 tsp vitamin e oil (optional)

Materials

• Mixing Bowl
• Airtight Sterilized Container
• Spoon / Spatula

Method

• Combine the sugar, salt and zest together in your bowl.
• Add in the coconut oil and mix together.
• Pierce the vitamin e capsule (if using) and squeeze out the oil into the bowl and mix it in.
• Drizzle over the grapefruit juice into the bowl and mix until fully combined
• Transfer to your container and pop on your lid.

To Apply

• Apply to dampened skin in the shower and massage into the body (not the face, it may be too abrasive), paying particular attention to any excessively dry patches of skin.
• When massaged in well, rinse off.
• Clean, refreshed, rejuvenated, smooth and supple skin will be yours!
• Use this twice a week and store in the fridge in between use for up to 2 weeks approximately.

Tips

1. If you have no fresh grapefruit, use a few drops of grapefruit essential oil.
2. As grapefruit is a citrus fruit avoid using on the skin if going out into the sun for extended periods of time as skin may become irritated. It is best to use this scrub in the evening.
3. Use the peel directly on the face as a cleanser or rub on itchy skin, mosquito bites, inflamed skin or psoriasis to alleviate any itchiness.
4. Have fun experimenting with other citrus recipes (check some out below) by substituting fruit with grapefruit.

Did You Know That Grapefruit Peels . . .

• Contains pectin
• Contains bromelain
• Extracts and essential oils are made from the peel
• Can be candied
• Can be used to make tea
• Can be used in sauces and grapefruit marmalade
• Makes great potpourri or air freshener

"Creating health awareness through homemade beauty solutions"

Grapefruit, Citrus Cleansing Cream

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

ShirleyJCJohnson on November 29, 2014:

I bet these would make great Christmas basket gifts! I just might have to whip some of this up!

Toy Tasting from Mumbai on January 06, 2014:

The Grapefruit face mask is so easy to make. Thanks for making it so simple, I am definitely trying it this weekend. :)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 03, 2013:

Hi Rajan,

Lovely to have you visit and I do sincerely appreciate you linking to your own grapefruit hub which I loved! Thanks for all your networking too on the social media sites, votes and pinning, you are so good to do all that!

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on August 02, 2013:

Useful and creative natural cosmetic products' recipes as always, Suzie! And, thanks for including a link to my hub on grapefruit health benefits.

Thanks for sharing theses useful beauty tips and recipes. I'll be including a link to this hub of yours in my aforesaid grapefruit hub.

Voting this up, useful, awesome and shared on FB, hubpages, pinned and tweeted. Also on G+1.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 14, 2013:

Hi Carol,

Lovely to see you, thanks so much for stopping by. Hope the book is progressing nicely, i have every faith in you and know you are passionate about its success. Thanks so much for pinning glad you enjoyed the simplicity and ease of this recipe!

carol stanley from Arizona on July 14, 2013:

Miss this one...As you know I haven't been into writing here as of late. Been working on the book...and I like the simplicity of this mask..Pinning of course.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 04, 2013:

Hi GTF,

I love the sharpness from Grapefruit and its such a versatile and beneficial fruit in the diet. Glad you enjoyed this recipe and hope you give it a try, always good to see you!

Claudia Mitchell on July 03, 2013:

Grapefruit is such a refreshing fruit and I think that other people think that too. Just like other citrus fruit. Love this mask recipe.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 29, 2013:

Hi erorantes,

Many thanks for popping in and it is good to see you enjoyed this. Hope you give it a try sometime! Appreciate your interest and comment :-)

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on June 28, 2013:

Hello Miss Suzie HQ ; I like your article on the good benefit from the grapefrui. Than you

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2013:

Hi janshares,

Ah such kind words, I so appreciate that. Lovely to know you enjoyed this so much. Thanks for the votes of confidence and thumbs up!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2013:

Hi Audrey,

Citrus is so refreshing and great for the warm summer days! Thanks Audrey for stopping by!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2013:

Hi Leslie,

LOL . . . you gotta love Bill and the banter, such a riot with my recipes and one of these days I will succeed in getting him to try one!! LOL

I'm with you on Vitamin C on the cheap and cheerful!

Thanks for your lovely words of encouragement and yep, think I will be heading to my own spot, it has been on my agenda believe me!

Delighted to see your blog do so well, it is FANTASTIC, I am such a fan of your writing and love reading your posts as they pop up!!

Thanks Leslie for sharing and pinning and loadsa luvin' :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2013:

Hi Janet,

Thanks, I know you will be tuned and who knows where my mind will take me! LOL

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2013:

Hi Sue,

Ah thanks Sue so much, I am just someone with a curious mind who doesn't know the words "not possible"! LOL

Janis Leslie Evans from Washington, DC on June 28, 2013:

Wow! Beautiful, informative, useful, visually appealing, well-written. What more can one ask for? Voted up, awesome, and useful.

Audrey Howitt from California on June 28, 2013:

Very cool--I would think a cirrus face mask would feel great on a hot day as well--so refreshing!

Karen Silverman on June 28, 2013:

LOL..almost love the Suzie/Bill banter as much as your amazing recipes my friend!

unlike Bill - i ADORE grapefruit - it's in my fridge right now, in fact!

i'm always looking for Vit C on the cheap..lol..(cheap, cheap)

You just keep in this niche, my friend - i think you'll do amazing!

(altho - i do think you should gth off of the hub and branch further out!!!

my blog was doing better than the hub for me the FIRST DAY!

love you much!

sharing,pinning, lovingxx

Janet Giessl from Georgia country on June 28, 2013:

I will definitely stay tuned and I'm really looking forward to your future projects!

Susan Bailey from South Yorkshire, UK on June 28, 2013:

Thanks for that Suzie. You are very talented and keep it up because I just love reading and trying out your recipes.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 27, 2013:

Hi Sue,

many thanks for popping in! It is my mad scientist brain I think! Always trying to think up new or interesting ideas that may appeal to many. Sometimes it is an article, news item, info I see on a TV program, a picture or a suggestion of someones that sparks an idea. I often come upon strange fruit that i may not know so that starts me researching it for benefits, uses etc and availability. I am pretty conscious of keeping ingredients as cost effective as possible as I for one cannot afford to be splashing out big cash so it all sort of comes together!!! LOL Mad scientist!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 27, 2013:

Hi Bill,

Many thanks for your comments! Like you I love eating grapefruit and with beneficial natural fruit acids stemming from fruit it makes sense to use it from the source instead of paying big bucks for the same fruit acids in expensive creams and skin products. Thanks for your lovely comment, so glad you enjoyed. Cheers for all your votes, shares and pin - have a great week!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 27, 2013:

Hi Randi,

LOL, yep at times smells are a real assortment but i never tire of them as I love perfume! Thanks so much for your interest and of course it would be a pleasure to be linked to your coconut oil hub, link away anytime!! Will check it out and definitely link back too!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 27, 2013:

Hi Rose,

So good to see you as always, I love grapefruit and find it great for my combination skin but I equally love it in body and shower products. it is a unisex fragrance and my other half is definitely partial to the citrus "zing" of it and the feel good factor it gives. Cheers for your comments!

Susan Bailey from South Yorkshire, UK on June 27, 2013:

Voted up and shared Suzie. Where do you find all these recipes?

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on June 26, 2013:

Hey Suzie. Who knew? I actually love grapefruit but never considered it as anything but something to eat. I love how you take something simple like the grapefruit and find really interesting and helpful uses for it outside the norm. Another great hub. Love that photo at the top, makes me want to go eat a grapefruit right now. Voted up, shared and pinned. Have a great day.

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on June 26, 2013:

I don't know how you do it! Your house must smell so good! Thank you for another great one! up++and pinning!

Suzie, I am writing a hub on Coconut Oil and would like to link to some of your hub recipes. Which ones would you like me to use?

Randi

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 26, 2013:

As always, great resource! Who knew that there were so many benefits of grapefruit, especially for the skin? I'm sure that this mask smells wonderful!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 26, 2013:

Ah Bill,

A padded cell?? Really?? And there you were telling me to be a niche writer and when the going got tough . . . you bail on me!! What kind of mentor are you??? Firtst you tell me to go with a tagline and now you abandon me! You gotta take the rough with the smooth, go with the flow and read the crap in between the good stuff!! Don't you think?? LOL

As always, you bring a smile, tears (from laughing) and great banter to this party. Appreciate it greatly!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 26, 2013:

Hi Janet,

many thanks for your lovely comment. I am delighted you enjoyed this one and enjoy all the different types of ways to go homemade! Yes, I have been thinking about a book and it is definitely on my list to do as is a website and making to sell products as others kindly suggested I do. Appreciate your thoughtfulness Janet, thinking of me! Stay tuned and watch this space!!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 26, 2013:

I don't even like eating grapefruit, and now you want me spreading it on my face???? I fear you have gone too far with this madness, Suzie! As your dear friend I need you to cease and desist before the Mickster calls the authorities and has you resting in a padded room this weekend. :)

You know I love you.....thanks for the beauty tip....helpful as always. :)

bill

Janet Giessl from Georgia country on June 26, 2013:

A grapefruit is such a refreshing fruit so using it as a face mask must be very refreshing, too. You always find new wonderful homemade beauty recipes. Now that you have a great collection you should publish them all in an e-book. Have you already considered this? Then people would have all of your recipes at one place.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 26, 2013:

Hi younghopes,

No problem, hope you get an answer. Thanks for your lovely comment, I will do my best!!

Shadaan Alam from India on June 26, 2013:

Thanks a lot for your response, i am surely going to contact HP for this, and you please do keep us enthralled by all these homemade recipes, worth reading for sure

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 26, 2013:

Hi younghopes,

Many thanks for your lovely comment and glad you found this interesting. Appreciate your votes and pin! Yes, I have noticed this too and have no answer I am afraid as I have noticed it on other hubs too. Drop HP a mail or check out the learning center for google ads info first. it may be a new change to layout of ads. Hope this helps!

Shadaan Alam from India on June 26, 2013:

great job Suzie, loved the way you have written not just about facial mask but also about its health benefits too, there is so much to learn from you as always. Voted up and pinned too

Just a small question i wish to ask you here- I am seeing a few of my hubs which are not having google ads within the text of the hub, i was just wondering, when i just saw your post which too is not having google ads in the text of the hub, do you have any idea why so? Your answer would be much appreciated.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 26, 2013:

Hi MJ,

LOL, only you would come up with your own DIY petrol head / maintenance enthusiast alternative! Love to see these in action on your face and bod whenever you get a moment!

Appreciate your interest ?? LOL

Thanks as always for votes etc. . . enjoy your busy day too!!

mjkearn on June 26, 2013:

Hi Suzie

Now what do I do. A Face Mask or a Body Scrub. Can I have both. It would make a change from Emery Paper and a Wire Brush.

Another great job, well done.

Voted up, shared and G+'d.

Have a fab day.

MJ.