Ingredient Guide
In 1750, the naturalist Griffith Hughes described a certain fruit for the first time in his work on the natural history of Barbados, an island in the Caribbean. It was the grapefruit, called the “forbidden fruit.” According to an island legend, grapefruit first arose in Welchman Hall Gully, in the center of Barbados. Its name comes from the way its fruit grows in clusters, like grapes. In French, it is called pamplemousse.
The essential oil is obtained by cold expression and has a juicy scent that unites grapefruit’s distinctive bitterness, sweetness, and acidity. The sparkle of this essential oil may be due to the aldehydes it contains among its aromatic constituents.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Grapefruit fragrance materials include natural essential oil obtained from the peel and reconstituted materials whose scent is assembled from multiple ingredients. Essential oil made by cold-pressing white grapefruit peel and then rectifying it brightens and sharpens a perfume with sparkling bitterness and juicy character. Products designated FCR have reduced furocoumarin content. Reconstituted materials combine fresh citrus and fruity bitterness with a sulfurous pungency reminiscent of the seeds, expressing a grapefruit note with a different texture from natural peel oil.
Choosing Grapefruit Fragrances
Which part of grapefruit appeals to you: the juicy fruit or the bitterness of its white pith? Rosemary or mint adds green herbs, while vetiver or cedar brings dry roots and woods after the citrus.
Fragrances to Explore
Grapefruit Cologne (Jo Malone London)
Grapefruit meets rosemary, peppermint and pimento. Citrus bitterness is paired with fresh herbs and spice.
Grey Vetiver Eau de Parfum (Tom Ford)
Vetiver is at the center, joined by grapefruit, orange blossom and spices. Citrus brightens the dry scent of roots and woods.
Find Your Next Fragrance
To explore more fragrances through the notes you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes”, then search under “Favorite notes”. Select from the suggestions shown and press “Next”. You can start with notes even if you do not have a favorite fragrance.
