We’re deep into grapefruit season here in Texas, which has got me thinking about what citrus can stave off besides scurvy. It's a pretty decent aromatherapy tool (stack 'em in a bowl and feel your kitchen get more tropical without smelling like a Glade candle), but the real boon of citrus is in its skin and hair benefits. Oils extracted from rinds clarify, boost radiance, and even-out tone, making this genus of fruit a key player in many hardworking beauty products. Here are a few to look into if you're feeling zesty (sorry, had to):

To Cleanse: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

Grapefruit essence is incorporated into this milky, gentle exfoliating formula to “boost energy and confidence,” making it a happy addition to your morning routine that’s neither cloying nor scouring. Apricot-seed powder provides the gentle grit while French pink clay works with the citrus to refine pores. It’s a happy addition to your bathroom shelf as well—Harper’s 100-percent-natural skincare line has some excellent refined, yet substantial, packaging.

To Smooth: Cold Spring Apothecary Amber Citrus Grooming Créme

Hailing from the frosty Hudson Valley, where folks know a thing or two about weathering a hard winter, Cold Spring Apothecary’s lightweight, frizz-fighting grooming cream is the haircare equivalent of an afternoon bask in a warm, sunny window. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit oils are rounded out by a rich amber base and what’s more—your hair is happily rendered both frizz and crisp-free.

To Soothe: ShiKai Moisturizing Shower Gel in Yuzu

Yuzu is a small, knobby-skinned citrus fruit hailing from Eastern Asia with a distinctively sweet, almost mandarin-like smell (for reference, it’s often a primary ingredient in Ponzu sauce). According to Japanese custom, a bath taken with yuzu during the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) is said to encourage good health, promote relaxation, and improve one’s overall odds to gain wealth. While I’ve made no great fortunes since I started to use ShiKai’s shower gel, my skin has softened from the blend of oatmeal and aloe vera, and my spirits are receiving a noticeable fragrance-induced boost as our days in the Western hemisphere now (finally) begin to grow longer.

—Lauren Maas

Photographed by Benjamin Jurgensen.