4 DIY Yuzu Beauty Recipes

When life gives you lemons, what should you do? Aside from making lemonade, you could integrate these bright super fruits into your skin care routine – specifically, the yuzu fruit. Known as the Japanese lemon, yuzu has gained huge popularity among the powerful citrus tribe. Packed with vitamins C and E, this vibrant gem is jammed with brightening power and rich antioxidant effects for the body, skin, and hair.

With yuzu’s beauty benefits in mind, it’s no wonder the citrus sleeper has made its way down the yellow brick road, and is now nipping at the heels of the standard lemon. Yuzu features in some of our favorite products and DIY formulas, but we’ve also whipped up some of our own simple, effective recipes that you can do at home. Keep reading to discover the power of yuzu in you!

#1: Blueberry yuzu facial mask
Facial masks have come a long way, from the days of terrifying unsuspecting kids and pets. They’ve become a weekly skin staple for their reliable results and benefits, including pleasing colors and aromas that can entice even the biggest mask skeptics. One of our favorites is this blueberry yuzu facial mask, featuring Greek yogurt and the antioxidant-boosting properties of berries.

Adding some drops of yuzu essential oil to your mask not only adds a pleasing pop of citrus to the mix, it also enhances your skin’s firmness, texture, and glow. This recipe will help tone and loosen unwanted skin cells without damaging your delicate skin. This facial mask will beg questions from your friends as to where they can get your glow. Here’s how to get the’ wow-zu’ out of yuzu:

1/8 teaspoon (0.65 ml) yuzu essential oil, 1/4 cup (60 g) plain Greek yogurt*, 1/4 cup (35 g) fresh blueberries (tightly packed)*, 2 tablespoons (25 g) bentonite clay*

*Optional: You can substitute the type of berries, yogurt, and clay you use depending on your skin type:

• Blueberries and raspberries are great at reducing the signs of aging, strawberries are great for many skin types (especially acne), while cranberries and grapes are great for aging skin.

• For those who prefer a vegan option, try using your favorite dairy-free yogurt. Most will still contain skin-beneficial probiotics and fats.

• Bentonite and green clays have stronger absorption properties, making them a good fit for oily skin. Kaolin clays is a fine-grained clay with mild absorption properties, which makes it better for dry to normal skin. Pink clay is the mildest clay for sensitive and mature skin.

Combine yogurt and blueberries in small, non-metal bowl. Mash blueberries and whisk into yogurt until well blended. Add clay and essential oil and stir together using a non-metal utensil. Use right away, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To apply, start with a clean face and use a washcloth to carefully steam (and gently open) your pores. Apply your mask liberally to face and neck, avoiding sensitive areas like the eyes, lips, and nostrils. Allow the mask mixture to set for up to 15 minutes. If it starts to feel tight or itchy, remove it right away. Remove with a warm, moist cloth and follow with toner and moisturizer.

#2: Yuzu rosewater hair rinse
Would you like shinier, healthier, and thicker hair? Thumbs up! Adding a hair rinse to your DIY beauty cart will help restore the pH balance and blood circulation to your scalp. Introducing yuzu into your hair care can help boost growth, which makes this hair rinse perfect for beautiful tresses.

Adding yuzu will also help for tensile strength, which means less hair breakage. The bonus: this powerful citrus can double as a mighty natural fragrance. It is so pleasingly potent that it can have an uplifting effect on your mood, and help to relieve stress. Yuzu for everyone! With yuzu’s hair-loving benefits in mind, this is one of our favorite DIY hair rinses and is a match made in heaven for our Yuzu & Pomelo Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner.

1 teaspoon yuzu, 1 cup rosewater, 1-2 cups water, 1 teaspoon honey*

Mix 1 teaspoon of yuzu essential oil with 1 cup of soothing rosewater and 1-2 cups of water (depending on hair length). After shampooing, massage the hair rinse onto the scalp and hair length. Let it sit for 3 minutes, then rinse with cool water and follow with a nourishing conditioner.

*Optional: Use 1 teaspoon of honey for dry hair, or 1 teaspoon organic aloe leaf juice to tame unruly tresses.

#3: Yuzu and lavender body lotion
Who has time to become a mad scientist in our kitchens, just to make all-natural lotion (and a huge mess)? We say less is more. Our easiest body lotion to make only requires five ingredients and a few steps – but doesn’t skimp on skin decadence. Combining the powerhouse yuzu with the therapeutic scent of lavender, this powerful potion covers all the bases with moisture, glow, and radiant skin – without leaving a greasy residue behind.

1 cup of raw cocoa butter, 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil*, 5 drops of yuzu essential oil*, 2 tablespoons of solid coconut oil, 3/4 cup of aloe juice

*Optional: You can substitute almond oil for olive oil. They have similar absorption rates. Add 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil for extra dry skin.

Melt your cocoa butter, almond oil, and coconut oil in a double broiler (this should only take a minute or two - careful not to overheat). Once they’ve melted and cooled slightly, add the yuzu essential oil (and vitamin E). In a base of a blender, add your aloe juice. Once the water is blending, very slowly stream in your oils. Now, you have an emulsion.

You will see it form into a thick, creamy consistency. After allowing it to cool, pour it into a mason jar and store it in the fridge. Apply daily for your ultra-soothing dose of skin radiance.

#4: Sparkling yuzu gimlet
What better way to cool off over the summer than with a spritzer that not only tastes divine, but looks the part? Enter yuzu – and where’s the ice?

Before you get juicing-happy, yuzu has a very strong flavor. It's even more intense than lemon or lime juice, so when added to drinks, a little goes a very long way. Add a drop to cocktails — using it more as a dash of flavor than a ‘part’ in your drink ratio.

1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons hot water, 2 cups lightly packed mint leaves, 1-1/2 cups lightly packed basil leaves, 1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber, ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons yuzu juice, 2 cups chilled vodka*, 2-1/4 cups chilled sparkling water, ice

*Optional: Replace vodka with your favorite green iced tea for a truly cooling summer mocktail.

In a small bowl, whisk the honey with hot water until dissolved. In a pitcher, muddle the mint and basil leaves with sliced cucumber, and incorporate into the honey water. Stir in yuzu juice, vodka (or iced green tea), and sparkling water. Serve in ice-filled Collins glasses – or cute mason jars - garnished with small sprigs of mint and basil and a cucumber spear.

Love citrus? Check out more benefits of tart fruits like pink grapefruit, lime, or blood orange. You can also go straight to the source for other posts to learn more about yuzu and how this citrus-related powerhouse can benefit your health and beauty routine. Keep up with us for new beauty topics posted daily!