Do a quick scroll of the ingredients in the CHARLÍS Collection products and you will discover that they all contain citrus.
Why?
The reason is simple– and remarkable! When it comes to achieving beautiful, age-defying skin, nothing compares to the power of citrus. From clearing up wrinkles to lifting mood, citrus fruits seem to have it all!
Citrus 101
Citrus fruits come in a variety of different types, with one estimation putting the number of different types of oranges alone at over 400. Whatever the variety, all citrus can be characterized by their pulpy centers that are segmented into different distinct segments surrounded by a thick rind. And while the inner fruit contains juice and pulp that is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it is the rind that contains supercharged, fragrant, terpene-heavy oils that are most beneficial to the skin.
Citrus Fruits and Your Body
Did you know that one regular-sized grapefruit contains about 99% of the US FDA Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for a healthy adult? We all know that vitamin C is good for us—our bodies need it for immune health, cellular health, and collagen production (more on that later). Fruits like lemon, orange, and grapefruit contain some of the highest vitamin C contents available.
Besides vitamin C, here are some other health benefits of citrus fruits:
- The aroma of citrus can boost your mood.
- Citrus can reduce inflammation.
- Citrus can help your immune system.
- Citrus fruits can reduce your risk of kidney stones.
- Consuming citrus fruits can help you prevent cancer.
Citrus Fruits and Your Skin
Now let’s get down to the reason why you wanted to read this article in the first place! How can citrus fruits help the look, feel, and health of your skin? Hold on to your seatbelt because you are going to be amazed!
Like I mentioned above, the age-defying and skin strengthening power of citrus is going to come mainly from the specific citrus oils found in the rind. These oils contain super-potent phytonutrients in the form of terpenes.
Terpenes are responsible for the aromatic properties of rich-smelling plants. Citrus certainly falls into this category as do other pungent whole foods like basil, frankincense, peppermint, and even some kinds of berries. Terpenes’ purpose within a plant is protection since strong odors often tell grazing and foraging animals as well as microorganisms like pathogenic fungi and bacteria to stay away.
All terpenes also carry anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-pathogenic properties. The presence of the terpene limonene especially makes them anti-skin cancer agents, according to research. Citrus peel use is associated with reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
Four Superpower Citrus Oils for Supercharged Skin
All CHARLÍS flagship products contain the healing properties of citrus oil. Let’s take a look:
Citrus Aurantium Dulci , aka “Sweet Orange”
Citrus aurantium dulci is also known as “sweet orange.” This is the same basic fruit that you would typically find at your local grocery store. Why is this kind of orange oil so healthy for skin?
The research tells the tale.
First of all, sweet orange oil can be a gentle exfoliator while at the same time moisturizing the skin and protecting it from the sun. Sweet orange rind also contains high levels of compounds called AHAs. AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid. Naturally occurring AHAs have been shown to help with acne, to balance out hyperpigmentation, and to help smooth away scarring.
Sweet orange oil also has skin-strengthening effects, and this has everything to do with vitamin C. C is a key element for collagen and elastin synthesis as well as a major player in the process of protein regeneration. Finally, the peel of the sweet orange contains carotenoids. It is the carotenoid content in orange oil that is thought to give your skin that healthy “glow.”
Citrus Reticulata, aka Mandarin Orange
Mandarin oranges are also known as Citrus reticulata. You may also recognize a common mandarin variety called the clementine (or “Little Cuties” as it says on the package) at your local grocery store.Besides all the amazing benefits mentioned above, mandarin orange oil has also been shown to possess specific anti-aging properties related to the phytonutrients within the rind.
An Indian research team discovered that citrus reticulata varieties contain higher levels of various compounds, including Polymethoxyflavones, which are known known for their anti-wrinkling and anti-aging effects.
Citrus Paradisi, aka Grapefruit
Now let’s move on to grapefruit. If you are part of the dedicated grapefruit-for-breakfast crowd, then you probably already know what the juice and pulp of this bittersweet fruit can do for immune health, blood sugar levels, heart health, the digestive system, the kidneys, and more. But did you know that grapefruit extract oil can also be healthy for your skin?
Again, the vitamin C content in grapefruit makes it a winner for lowering inflammation and protecting against sun damage as well as for skin strengthening. But C isn’t the only reason why grapefruit oil can be beneficial. The rind of the grapefruit also contains high levels of antioxidant-rich terpenes including limonene, citronellol, myrcene, pinene, and terpinene.
Grapefruit seed also contains specific AHAs like tartaric, malic, and citric acid which have been shown to help with skin elasticity.
Citrus Aurantium Bargamia, aka Bergamot
Finally, we come to the amazing bright green fruit known as bergamot or “sour orange.” You may know of bergamot as the main ingredient in earl gray tea, but that is not all this pungent citrus is good for.
Bergamot has all the good stuff that other citrus has but while most citrus such as lemon and orange have an uplifting effect on the nervous system, bergamot is known for being one of the most calming essential oils for the nervous system.
A pilot study conducted in 2017 by dōTERRA International and Brigham Young University monitored mood levels of women in the waiting room at a local mental health treatment facility. They found that a mere 15 minutes of exposure to a bergamot essential oil inhalant improved their mood by close to 20% (compared to a control group). Based on their findings, the researchers commented that “bergamot essential oil aromatherapy can be an effective adjunct treatment to improve individuals’ mental health and well‐being.”
The CHARLÍS Collection: For Luxury, Beauty, and the Health of Your Skin!
CHARLÍS is absolutely committed to providing you with gorgeous, luxurious skin products that are also 100% safe in every way. This is why we go a step further to make sure that each product passes the ToxinFree © test before it goes to you. For more information about the ToxicFree © label that appears on every bottle in the CHARLÍS collection, click HERE.
The refreshing, exhilarating, and protective effects of orange and grapefruit. The soothing, relaxing benefits of bergamot. And 100% gluten free, wild harvested, all natural, sustainably sourced, and made in the USA. Most importantly, all CHARLÍS products are stamped with the ToxinFree© seal of approval so that you know your luxury beauty formula is more than just a cosmetic. It is a healing tool for your skin and your life!
Sherwin Berger says
A very well-written and informative presentation about all forms of citrus. I thought I was well informed about some of these topics, yet at age 96 I am always open to learning more. Thank you for that opportunity. As soon as I finish filling out the information on this page I am going into my kitchen to devour another grapefruit.