Citrus Fruits for Skin Health

Research suggests that the connection between citrus fruits and skin health in the available evidence base is indirect and limited in scope. The single identified study is a genetic sequencing investigation examining somatic mutations in psoriasis patients, which touches on citrus only peripherally through its analysis of psoralens, compounds found in certain citrus and other plants that are used in a phototherapy treatment called PUVA. That study found a neutral-directional result, noting that psoralen-based therapy may leave a more significant long-term mutational imprint on skin DNA than psoriasis itself, though it drew no conclusions about dietary citrus consumption or topical citrus use. Given that only one study of a highly specialized nature was identified, and that it does not directly examine citrus fruits as a health intervention, no meaningful synthesis about citrus and skin health outcomes can be drawn from this evidence base alone, and broader conclusions would require consultation of additional research.