Scent note · citrus facet · Fresh family

Grapefruit scent notes

Tart and juicy with a bitter zest.

Related names: pink grapefruit

Grapefruit smells sharp, juicy and a little bitter, with a faint sulfur note from a molecule called grapefruit mercaptan that makes it read as freshly cut. The oil is cold pressed from the peel, and pink grapefruit is the sweeter of the two common types.

Grapefruit is a top note, and it opens tropical, orange and woody blends well. Like other pressed citrus it fades early, so it does its best work over a base that lasts. Pressed grapefruit oil carries IFRA limits for leave-on skin products; check the certificate before you formulate one.

14oils · see the list

13as a top note

citrusfacet

Grapefruit pairs with

Tropical4 of our 12 tropical oils also carry grapefruit

Orange6 of our 27 orange oils also carry grapefruit

Sandalwood3 of our 16 sandalwood oils also carry grapefruit

Berry / Red Fruits4 of our 26 berry / red fruits oils also carry grapefruit

Grapefruit oils lean

Earthy 3/10 Fruity 6/24 Spicy 5/27

Questions about grapefruit

Is grapefruit a top, middle or base note?

Mostly a top note. Of the 13 oils here that list grapefruit in their notes, 13 carry it at the top.

What does grapefruit pair well with?

Tropical, orange and sandalwood. 4 of our 12 tropical oils also carry grapefruit.

More citrus notes

Citrus Bergamot Orange Lemon Lime

Browse every note on the Scent Notes page, or read how families and facets fit together in The Fragrance Wheel guide.