How to make a homemade grapefruit-infused oil using the oil infusion method for use in skin care, to help promote healthy hair growth, to promote relaxation, and more.

After having such success in making my own lavender-infused oil from the fresh lavender out in my garden, I wanted to take it a step further and make my own grapefruit oil.

As I mention in both my lavender oil and peppermint oil posts, this method won’t produce what is technically a ‘true’ essential oil, as steam distilling is required. To make an authentic essential oil, you’d have to distil the grapefruit peel, capture the steam, and condense the steam into a liquid. This process requires heat, pressure, equipment and a lot of patience. To make true essential oils, you’ll need the proper equipment.

If your kitchen isn’t filled with this distilling equipment, then making a flower/herb/fruit-infused oil is as close as you can get. Keep in mind that this oil will be less concentrated than a true essential oil.

Grapefruit Oil Benefits

Grapefruit oil has many health benefits, including:

• Promoting hair growth. Grapefruit may help to get rid of dandruff and promote the growth of healthy hair follicles.
• Encouraging healthy skin: Grapefruit oil may help in preventing and treating skin conditions like acne, due to its potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
• Promoting relaxation: Studies have found citrus essential oils that contain the same compounds as grapefruit oil (limonene) may help provide calming and anti-anxiety effects.

Before we get started in learning how to make this grapefruit-infused oil, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

Homemade Grapefruit-Infused Oil

Avoid the white under skin of the citrus peel when making this oil, as it will produce an acrid oil. Use a very sharp knife to carefully remove the outer peel of the grapefruit, avoiding the white under skin. You can also use citrus fruit peels like lemon, lime, orange or tangerine, and infuse them to make different citrus oils. Do not use the pulp (or fruit) of the grapefruit when making this oil.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup organic grapefruit peel, grated or peeled (avoid the white under skin)
• 1 cup carrier oil like organic sweet almond oil or cold pressed extra virgin olive oil

To Make:

1. Wash the whole grapefruit well. Non-organic grapefruits can often contain traces of insecticides, pesticides or wax, so make sure to wash them well (even organic produce).
2. Peel the grapefruit, only removing the orange skin, not the white pith. Compost any remaining scraps and enjoy the grapefruit as a snack. Alternately, you can use a kitchen grater and grate/zest the rind instead. Grating is more ideal as you can remove just the rind and leave the pith behind.
3. Spread the grapefruit zest out on a plate, and place it in a warm area with good air circulation to dry. Generally, within a couple of days the rind will be dry enough to continue making the oil. It’s really important to wait until the rind is completely dry before proceeding, to ensure the oil doesn’t go rancid later on.
4. Fill a mason jar with the grapefruit rind or zest and add in the almond oil until it just covers the top of the rind. Avoid using too much oil or you’ll weaken/dilute the oil too much.
5. Cover and allow the jar to sit on sunny windowsill for two weeks.
6. Pour the prepared oil into a bowl lined with 2-3 layers of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth or nut milk bag and squeeze as much oil as you can into the bowl. Squeezing the rinds helps to extract the remaining oils within. For a stronger oil, press the rind inside the cheesecloth between two plates. Place the cheesecloth on one plate and place another plate on top. Position a couple of heavy books on the top plate and let it sit for a day or two, allowing the weight of the plates to press the remaining oils from the grapefruit.
7. Pour the oil into small, dark coloured bottles. Dark glass bottles protect the properties within the oil, preventing deterioration. Seal with lids and store in a cool, dry place (do NOT refrigerate) for up to 6 months.

DIY grapefruit-infused oil tutorial

As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post. 

Have you made infused oils before? What oil did you make? Share in the comments below

Lots of love,

Vanessa