Grapefruit

Like the fruit itself, the essential oil of Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants giving its oil an abundance of Vitamin C and A.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects healthy cells from harmful free radicals.  According to a study published in the British Journal of Community Nursing, vitamin C is essential throughout the wound-healing process, largely because it contributes toward collagen synthesis and development. Collagen is also essential for healthy skin and hair. Vitamin A is known to promote healthy tissue growth. So we benefit by eating its sweet pink flesh or by applying its goodness onto our complexion to help keep skin moisturized and supple.

This vitamin, combined with the other antioxidant components present in grapefruit essential oil, boosts our immune system and fights against the activity of free radicals such as pollution and UV light damage. This oil is effective in protecting the body from all harm done by various oxidants and toxins, including premature aging, and degeneration of tissues. It helps in fighting bacteria and greasiness that can cause acne blemishes.

Antioxidants and free radicals...

Antioxidants keep free radicals in check. Antioxidants are molecules in cells that prevent free radicals from taking electrons and causing damage. Antioxidants are able to give an electron to a free radical without becoming destabilized themselves, thus stopping the free radical chain reaction. "Antioxidants are natural substances whose job is to clean up free radicals. Just like fiber cleans up waste products in the intestines, antioxidants clean up the free radical waste in the cells. Well-known antioxidants include beta-carotene and other carotenoids, lutein, resveratrol, vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene and other phytonutrients.

Through a method known as cold-pressing, the oil is extracted from glands located in the peel of the grapefruit.

 *Featured in our Rosemary Grapefruit Toner