Three Ways To Make This A Summer Of Self-Care With Citrus

Summer is here and with the longer days and warmer weather, it’s a great time to slow down, unwind, and have some “me time.” Summer is a great time to try all the in-season fruits and vegetables available and incorporate those into your recipes since what we put into our bodies directly affects our well-being.

That being said, with the refreshingly juicy Valencia oranges, lemons and grapefruit in season this summer, take advantage of what they can do beyond the kitchen. We’ve never met a part of citrus that we didn’t like. From the juicy flesh to the essential oil-packed peel, put it all to good use the next time you are feeling crafty (they’ve got a whole lot of DIY uses). Here are three super easy DIY self-care citrus hacks that you can do all summer long.

Grapefruit Hand Scrub
Yes, grapefruit looks as good as it tastes, but it shines in so many other ways too. If you’re hands are feeling dry, try this Grapefruit scrub that will leave your skin feeling silky soft, and make your nails look brighter than ever.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• ¾ cup of organic sugar
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed Sunkist® grapefruit juice
• ¼ cup grapeseed oil
• 1 tbsp honey

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, then apply to your hands by dipping a sliced grapefruit in the mixture. Massage onto skin and drape a lukewarm washcloth over your hands for that extra soothing touch.

Potpourri Simmer Pot
If your home is working overtime as your office, gym, yoga studio and daycare center, freshen it up a bit with yoru leftover citrus. It’s been said that the smell of citrus can create a peaceful, calming atmosphere and help with relaxation. For real, though. That fresh citrus scent you get from peeling an orange or zesting a lemon can really brighten your day. It’s thanks in part to linalool: an ingredient found in its oil. Save some slices from your favorite vitamin C-filled snacks and transform them into potpourri with this easy recipe that fills your living space with a refreshing aroma. Ahhh.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

One apple and pretty much any orange (personally, we love the smell of Valencia oranges, so we’d probably go with one of those).

And to give it a nice, rich aroma, you’ll need:

• 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Slice your orange and apple (keep the peel on both). Add all your ingredients to a small pot and fill with water until it’s about ¾ full. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, give everything a quick stir, and let the potpourri do its thing! Once the water starts cooking off, just add more and repeat the process. Leave simmering until your house smells so good it makes the neighbors jealous.

So save a candle and use some citrus. Next time you want your home to smell extra special, try this easy-to-make potpourri simmer pot. Pro: it’s a great way to use leftover citrus. Con: gives candles a bit of an inferiority complex.

Lemon Almond Scrub
When life gives you lemons, tap into their superpowers. This exfoliating scrub is super easy to make — and easy on skin, too. It leaves you feeling clean, refreshed and maybe even ready to take on another DIY project.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 30 almonds
• Zest from 3 Sunkist® lemons
• 3 tablespoons of juice from freshly-squeezed lemons
• 3 tablespoons of honey

DIRECTIONS
Grind almonds and lemon zest together in a coffee grinder or food processor. Then, combine the mixture in a small bowl with lemon juice and honey until it forms a grainy cream.

Apply the mixture to your skin, massaging in a circular motion to lift and remove all of the dirt and exfoliate the skin. Rinse with warm water and take in how smooth your skin feels. Nice.