Grapefruit peaks during the holiday season, so you have plenty of time to stock up on this delicious fruit that’s high in vitamin C, fiber and lycopene. Add a grapefruit to your breakfast, and it will aid digestion, lower blood pressure and help with weight loss. Use the fruit on your face to exfoliate, detox and brighten your skin.

Grapefruit is high in antioxidants, which fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles, discoloration and dull complexion. The next time you’re browsing the fresh fruit aisle, pay attention to color, as only red and pink grapefruits contain lycopene as well as higher amounts of antioxidants (as opposed to yellow or white grapefruit). Like lemons, grapefruit has natural acids that exfoliate dead skin, keeping your pores clean and complexion bright. Here are 3 of our favorite DIY ways to use grapefruit for skin.

1. Fight Fine Lines

The probiotics in yogurt fight acne and discoloration while the retinol in grapefruit juice repairs skin damage, fights fine lines and tones skin.

• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt

Mix yogurt with the juice from 1/2 grapefruit in a bowl. Apply to clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with daily moisturizer. Apply weekly.

2. Scrub off dry skin

Apply scrub all over your body and let the salicylic acid from the grapefruit juice work its magic on your elbows, knees and rough patches.

• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil

Juice 1/2 of a grapefruit and add sugar and grapeseed oil. Fold ingredients with a spoon.  Use this scrub in entirety when you mix it because of the fresh juice. Or you can increase the oil amount and add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to substitute for the fresh juice.

3. Battle oily skin breakouts

This clarifying mask is great for oily or clogged skin, and it’s especially beneficial if you are battling back acne.

• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup cornmeal

Combine honey and cornmeal along with the juice of 1/2 grapefruit. Leave on face and back for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

4. Boost mood with natural perfume

The scent of citrus is a known mood booster so why not enjoy the fragrance all day long? Use grapefruit essential oil to make a scented perfume or use grapefruit peels to infuse botanical cologne.

The next time you slice open that grapefruit for your breakfast, save half for your face (or body)!

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