Pink Grapefruit is a juicier, sweeter version of the grapefruit note, named after the pink- and red-fleshed varieties of Citrus × paradisi. In perfume it is usually a citrus accord that combines grapefruit peel with fruity, slightly berry-like sweetness, giving a playful, sparkling freshness.

What does Pink Grapefruit smell like?

Pink grapefruit smells like the white grapefruit note softened with a spoonful of sugar: tangy and bitter at the start, but rounded by red-fruit, rhubarb and blackcurrant nuances. The pink colour of the flesh comes from lycopene, which has no smell, and peel oils of pink and white cultivars are quite similar. The pink effect in perfume is therefore mostly created by the perfumer, who adds sweeter fruity notes and sometimes a touch of rose.

How perfumers create Pink Grapefruit

Perfumers usually combine grapefruit oil with nootkatone, low levels of sulphur-based grapefruit materials, and fruity notes such as blackcurrant, rhubarb or raspberry to suggest the sweeter pink flesh. The inspiration is the red cultivars developed in Texas in the 20th century, such as Ruby Red, patented in 1929, and later Rio Red.

• Also known as: Ruby grapefruit, red grapefruit
• Fragrance family: Citrus (fruity)
• Type: Natural and synthetic (often an accord)
• How it's obtained: Grapefruit peel oil blended with fruity and grapefruit aroma molecules

Pink Grapefruit in perfume history

Pink grapefruit is a recent perfumery theme, reflecting the popularity of the red varieties as a breakfast fruit in the United States and Europe from the mid-20th century onwards. The note became popular as fresh, fruity feminine and unisex fragrances took off in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Pink Grapefruit in modern perfumery

Pink grapefruit is a favourite in body sprays, fresh feminine fragrances and summer editions, because it signals a bright, cheerful citrus that is sweeter than traditional colognes. It also works well in modern fruity-floral styles.

How Pink Grapefruit wears and what it pairs with

The citrus part of pink grapefruit fades within the first half hour, but the fruity components can hang on into the heart. It pairs with rose, peony, blackcurrant, rhubarb, pink pepper, mint, white musk and light woods.

Safety and regulation

Expressed grapefruit oil is restricted by IFRA in leave-on products because of phototoxicity. Limonene is an EU-declarable allergen.