Citrus Fruits: Juicy, Sweet, and More Than Just Something to Eat

Citrus fruits are loved by many. They are juicy and sweet, yet tangy in taste and refreshing in scent. Not only are citrus fruits a delicious treat, they are also packed full of nutrients that provide tons of health benefits. It is commonly known, citrus fruits are high in vitamin Cwhich is an important antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and encourages the production of collagen. Citric acid also comes from citrus fruits, which helps kill bacteria and other viruses. Citrus fruits in general have many benefits to skin health, including correcting hyper-pigmentation, unclogging pores, and exfoliation, which all lead to a brighter complexion and younger-looking skin.

Let’s dive into a few of our favorite citrus ingredients:

Bergamot

Bergamot is a very unique and uncommon citrus fruit. You may have heard of it in relation to Earl Grey tea, as it is the fruit behind the flavor; but still, what is bergamot? It is a citrus fruit that comes from the citrus bergamia plant. It is found most commonly in the Mediterranean. From the rind of this fruit, the bergamot essential oil is extracted. This oil is often used for Earl Grey tea, fragrances, and skincare products. This unique citrus oil is full of many benefitsthat should not be overlooked. 

So, what are the benefits of Bergamot Oil:

• Fights off bacteria: Bergamot oil has antibacterial and antibiotic properties that allow it to ward off bacteria growth and protect the skin from infection. 
• Purifies: Because bergamot is antibacterial, it is a natural cleanser that helps unclog pores and manages the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. 
• Healing: Bergamot evens skin tone by promoting increased collagen production.
• Natural painkiller: Bergamot oil helps reduce pain due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that lessen nerve sensitivity.
• Reduces stress: Bergamot promotes the relaxation of the body and nerves, ultimately relieving stress. This oil alleviates tension, anxiety and depression by reducing the levels of cortisol in the body, and in turn, promotes positive energy. 

At The Yellow Bird, we love to add bergamot oil into our products as we are confident in its ability to heal, purify, and renew the skin.

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Lime 

Lime is a citrus fruit that is not nearly as mysterious as bergamot. We add limes to many dishes and drinks. While this citrus fruit is a lot more popular, how well do you really know limes beyond common consumption? That’s right, limes are packed full of nutrients that can also benefit the skin when applied topically.

What are the Benefits of Lime: 

• Treats acne: Limes have antibiotic properties that attack the bacteria that cause clogged pores and therefore acne. 
• Treats dark spots: If you suffer from acne, you probably struggle with the acne scars left behind. Limes help fade scars from acne, sun damage, and other wounds and irritations due to the natural lightening properties of limes. 
• Treats problematic pores: Limes act as an astringent, which is why limes can tighten pores after reducing the production of sebum; improving the overall appearance of complexion and texture of the skin. 
• Exfoliant: As citrus, limes produce citric acid. This sloughs off dead skin cells, acting as an exfoliant. The gentle scrubbing away of dead skin cells also helps keep the pores unclogged and reduces the chances of acne breakouts. 
• Hair: Lime also has hair benefits. They slough away dandruff, promoting hair growth. 

We love including lime in our ingredients, as we stand behind the main benefits and nutrients that it provides to the skin.

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Orange 

Oranges are a classic staple in the kitchen. Naturally sweet, they can be enjoyed by themselves, as a juice and as an ingredient in many other recipes. Oranges are high in nutrients and antioxidants that reduce inflammation and fight bacteria.

What are the Benefits of Orange Oil:

• Antibacterial: Orange oil helps fight off any negative bacteria, oil, and fungi. This keeps the skin and pores clean and unclogged and decreases acne breakouts. The antiseptic properties of the orange help maintain clean skin and prevent bacteria from spreading and causing more acne. 
• Anti-inflammatory: Orange peels are full of bioactives that ward off inflammation. 
• Tightens pores: Orange oil has astringent properties that help shrink the pores while keeping the skin firm and free of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Healing: The vitamin C in oranges helps promote cell growth and production of collagen, which results in fading dark spots and blemishes. 

We not only love oranges to snack on or to quench our thirst at breakfast, we actively include orange oil as an ingredient in several of our products. 

Shop Our Skincare Products with Orange