Grapefruit benefits beauty

Raise your glass to toast the grapefruit. February is National Grapefruit Month. Who knew?

Grapefruit might best be known for its alleged fat-burning enzymes. Any dieter worthy of her calorie counter probably has heard of the grapefruit diet, a quick-loss plan that has existed since the 1930s.

Now, it seems juicy grapefruit boosts health and benefits beauty, too. Full of vitamin C, grapefruit encourages collagen production for younger-looking, more taut skin. Grapefruit is loaded with citric acid, a powerful exfoliator. It’s even believed that grapefruit extract can reduce cellulite. Oils from grapefruit have a soothing effect on the body, which is why it’s showing up in lotions, scrubs and creams.

Grapefruit oil, peel and extract are used in many fragrances including Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. A quick search turned up several other grapefruit-loving products including Decleor 10-Day Radiance Powder Cure and Archipelago Grapefruit Antioxidant Therapy Body Butter.

You also can mix up grapefruit-enhanced beauty products in your kitchen. For recipes, check my blog at blog.newsok.com/fashionmatters.

Grapefruit giveaway

To celebrate National Grapefruit Month, Fashion Matters will give away several grapefruit-infused products, including Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo. The company says grapefruit oil, the key ingredient, stimulates the lymphatic system and tones the scalp.

To enter the drawing, send an e-mail with your name and address to fashionmatters@opubco.com or mail a note to Linda Miller, The Oklahoman, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.