The Boom of Citrus Oil
Lemons have hundreds of uses, from making natural disinfectants to decorating your home. This bright yellow fruit is one of many citruses that impart flavor, scent, and color to many household products today. Most citrus-infused products don’t contain actual fruit but get their lemony properties from citrus oil instead.
What is Citrus Oil, and How is it Made?
Citrus oil is an essential oil that comes from citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and limes. Unlike most other essential oils, which are extracted through steam distillation, you get citrus oil by cold-pressing the skins of citrus fruit. Manufacturers use this method because most fragrance compounds, vitamins, and antioxidants come from the rind.
To extract citrus oil from fruits, manufacturers put the rinds into expression machines that puncture them and release the oils inside. Then, they filter the oil to remove any impurities before bottling it.
The Many Uses of Citrus Oil
Citrus’s strong scent can mask unpleasant odors and make the air fresher. Companies have been using citrus oil as a fragrancing ingredient for household products for decades, and its scent has become synonymous with a fresh, clean home. Plus, lemons are high in citric acid, which cuts through grease and leaves surfaces squeaky clean.
Citrus oil is also a popular ingredient in skincare products and other cosmetics. It has natural anti-bacterial properties and adds a refreshing scent to shower gels, shampoos, body washes, and handsoaps. You can also use it to fragrance your home or office, and it’s often found in scented candles, air freshener sprays, and reed diffusers.
The Benefits of Citrus Oil
Citrus fruits are superfoods with many health benefits, and they don’t lose any of their goodness when we turn them into citrus oils! While you should never eat or drink essential oils, you can apply them topically or use them for aromatherapy to reap the many benefits of the fruit, including:
- Uplifts your mood – citrus has a refreshing scent that many people find uplifting when having a bad day. You can try diffusing citrus oil in your space to put yourself in a good mood and get ready to tackle the day. A small study from 2006 found that lemon oil helped relieve stress in mice, and another from 2016 found similar results in people.
- Boosts immunity – citrus is known as an infection-fighting fruit. It has antimicrobial properties that remain intact in the essential oil. Many people add it to their diffusers to clean the air and keep it healthy and fresh during flu season. Plus, inhaling it when you’re under the weather will brighten your spirits too!
- Boost concentration and brain health – citrus oil contains flavonoids that fight inflammation and may help ward off neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies show that the scent of citrus stimulates brain activity and improves its function. One study found that people with Alzheimer’s performed better at cognitive tasks after aromatherapy with lemon oil.
- Fights acne and brightens skin – citrus oil slightly dries the skin and can help reduce oiliness and acne over time. It’s also anti-fungal and has been shown to help treat athletes’ foot, thrush, and yeast infections when applied topically. The citric acid in the oil also has a brightening effect that may reduce hyperpigmentation.
Add Citrus Oil to Your Products
Advanced Biotech supplies high-quality, pure essential oils to the cosmetics, perfume, and household product industries. Browse our superior range of lemon, orange, grapefruit, and lime oils online, or contact us for more information.