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The Best Grapefruit Fragrances to Help You Welcome Spring Properly
Warm-weather notes perfect for year-round wear.
Growing up, my grandmother always paired my breakfast—usually eggs—with a freshly sliced half of a grapefruit. Its sharp, bitter taste was overwhelming, so I’d sneak a sprinkle of brown sugar on top to make it more palatable. Over time, that small act of rebellion became a genuine fixation, and grapefruit became my favorite fruit. However, after taking a hiatus from citrus for years, I welcomed it back into my life as an adult in a new form: perfume.
While many gravitate toward soft florals (jasmine, rose, iris), deep woods (oud, cedarwood, vetiver), or indulgent gourmands (caramel, coffee, vanilla), there’s a distinct group—myself included—who crave the vibrant, tangy energy of citrus. Coffee is great, but have you ever enveloped yourself in the bright, sparkling zest of a grapefruit fragrance?
Our picks for the best grapefruit perfumes of 2025
In perfumery, grapefruit isn’t as tart or bracing as biting into the real thing. When blended with other citruses, it emerges as the fresh, juicy, and refined sister to orange, lemon, or tangerine. Not to mention, it becomes even more addicting when combined with florals and herbaceous notes that create an uplifting scent that lingers beautifully on the skin as it settles.
The ELLE beauty team is typically divided on what notes we love, but many of us agree that grapefruit perfumes are a worthy addition to our citrus collections. After polling ELLE editors and combing through customer reviews, I landed on the following 10 grapefruit perfumes that are fresher than a cold glass of OJ.
Pros
- Not too overpowering
Cons
- Will need to re-up throughout the day
If someone would describe your aura as soft, delicate, and flirty, Chance by Chanel is your olfactory equivalent. This scent makes you want to hug yourself tight because of how dreamy you smell, courtesy of light musks and fruity tones.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Key notes: Grapefruit, quince, jasmine, white musks
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This smells so good! I get compliments on it almost every time I wear it. It's not too sweet or flowery, but just enough and even has a bit of a fresh smell to it. It actually smells expensive if that is possible :-) Another great thing is you only need to use no more than 2 sprays. The bottle I bought should easily last me a year.”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Citrus notes can be too much for some
The first bite of a nectar is always the juiciest, as is the initial spritz of this perfume. True to its bright packaging, Perseus lingers on the skin like tangy pulp on the lips after a bite, unfurling layers of other fruity and woody notes as it settles.
Size: 4.2 fl oz
Key notes: Grapefruit, blackcurrant, tonka bean, cashmere woods
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My favorite vacations are the ones where I'm beachside, sipping the fruitiest cocktail a bartender can make. Within a few spritzes of Perseus, I'm transported back to a sunny boat ride on the Amalfi Coast with the salty sea breeze and remnants of limoncello permeating the air. I'm the happiest person ever when I wear this, which is why it’s easily become my favorite cold-weather scent to fight winter blues.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Light, airy scent
Cons
- Will need to re-up throughout the day
At first glance, you might mistake this perfume for cucumber or celery water—but even without the greens, it is just as refreshing as fresh juice. Instead, it’s packed with grapefruit, rose, and pink peppercorn, making it light and energizing, as well as sweet.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Key notes: White rose, pink peppercorn, watermelon, grapefruit, mandarin orange, cedar
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I love this fragrance. Green and fresh! Not musky or powdery. Perfect for me. Thank you!”
Acqua di Parma 'Blu Mediterraneo' Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette
Pros
- Invigorating notes
Cons
- Projection could be stronger
Whenever you want to escape to Italy, take Fico di Amalfi for a spin—err, spritz. Behind the blue vial are invigorating notes that energize you instantly and evoke images of gardens, flowers, and water.
Size: 1 fl oz
Key notes: Bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, fig nectar, pink pepper, jasmine
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “It's worth every penny. Takes me back to Europe, in my family's garden where we had fig trees. The smell is exactly of the fig nectar. I simply love the smell it's so blissful. People are always asking what I'm wearing.”
Pros
- Great projection
Cons
- Minty notes can be too strong for some
You can’t talk grapefruit perfumes without mentioning the OG. Jo Malone’s Grapefruit is earthier than most, anchored by a blend of peppers and mints.
Size: 1 fl oz
Key notes: grapefruit, tangerine, jasmine, pimento, peppermint, rosemary, vetiver, moss
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I have been a Jo Malone fan for years and the Grapefruit Cologne is one of my favorites. It is fresh, light, and full of crisp citrus notes. The candles are incredible as well.”
Pros
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Will need to re-up throughout the day
Crispy, zesty, and airy, Hesperides is almost too refreshing to be just a perfume. Think of a cold lemonade or a citrus salad—the combination of lemon and grapefruit makes this the perfect springtime to summer transitional scent.
Size: 1 fl oz
Key notes: Lemon, grapefruit, rhubarb
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Like a cold towel at the end of a hot yoga class, this scent is incredibly refreshing. It has the zing of grapefruit, which combined with citrus and rhubarb makes it a fresh, clean scent. I particularly like it in the shower gel format, and it's my favorite to reach for on hot, sweaty, summer days.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
Pros
- Unisex
Cons
- Projection could be stronger
Windows Down is the perfect scent to enjoy in the heart of summer, with the car top down and breeze flowing through your hair. No pungent city air here—all you smell is the sweet marriage of citrus and florals melting down into a bed of musks.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Key notes: Neroli, grapefruit, bergamot, moss, orange flower, Earl Grey tea
Nordstrom rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My first introduction to Henry Rose was through Windows Down. I romanticize my life a lot, and if I were ever in a sunny road trip rom-com, this would likely be the scent I'd wear to make my suitors swoon. It’s fruity and citrusy, but I enjoy its depth more, thanks to the moss and musks.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Strong projection
Cons
- Can lean too masculine for some
The grapefruit in this scent only pays a brief visit to allow the heavier, spicier notes their own time to shine. Halfeti isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for those who favor bold notes and don’t mind being stopped repeatedly for compliments.
Size: 1 fl oz
Key notes: grapefruit, bergamot, cypress, cumin, nutmeg, rose, jasmine, leather, oud
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Smooth, warm, one of a kind fragrance. Unisex, perfect for when you want to turn heads.”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can lean mature for some
Cleopatra is an olfactory exploration of the traits she’s believed to have possessed. It’s strong, seductive, and alluring in the most sophisticated way.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Key notes: Bitter grapefruit, white jasmine, peach nectar, tuberose-patchouli, golden amber, vanilla musk
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I'm already thinking about Mother's Day, and this is one of the gifts I plan on giving to my mother. It has rich, sophisticated notes of vanilla musk (her all-time favorite) mixed with sweet jasmine that anchor the grapefruit bitters.”—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Pros
- Great for everyday wear
Cons
- Will need to re-up throughout the day
Citrus and nectar mingle in Creed’s Spring Flower, which swirls in a medley of soft petals, creating a scent as soft and sensual as the powder pink bottle.
Size: 1 fl oz
Key notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, apricot, jasmine, peach, white flower bouquet, cedarwood, musk
Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I got a sample of this and got so many compliments I had to go and buy a bottle. It's fresh and feminine, but not sweet like so many perfumes out right now. An easy every day wear, but I miiiight just wear it on my wedding day too.”
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled ELLE editors on their favorite grapefruit perfumes and combed through customer reviews to find the best ones.
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