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Frankincense essential oil is a warm, sweet, resinous oil traditionally used for mature skin, scar care, deep, calm breathing, emotional overwhelm and quiet reflection. Once traded weight for weight with gold, it's been burned in temples for thousands of years, and it's still one of the most loved oils in aromatherapy. It's gentle, blends with almost everything, and is one of my favorites for both skin care and calming blends.
Below you'll find my frankincense oil profile, the different types and how to choose, how to use it safely, my favorite everyday uses, and links to all of my frankincense recipes.
Frankincense Essential Oil Profile
Botanical Name: Boswellia carterii
Plant Family & Part Used: Burseraceae; resin
Scent: Sweet, resinous, lightly woody. Base note.
Traditionally Used For: Mature skin, scar care, shallow breathing, emotional burnout, spiritual connection, a racing mind.
Max Dilution: Up to 2% (my practice recommendation).
Safety: None known. Choose fresh oil; old, oxidized frankincense is more likely to irritate skin.
Blends Well With: Myrrh, Lavender, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Orange, Cypress
Shelf Life: 3 to 4 years
Substitutes: Myrrh, Sandalwood, Elemi
What Is Frankincense Oil?
Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees, which grow in dry, rocky regions of the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and India. When the bark is cut, a milky sap seeps out and hardens into “tears” of resin. Those tears are steam distilled to make the essential oil. Learn more in what are resin essential oils?
Good to know: boswellic acids, the compounds studied in frankincense supplements, are heavy molecules that stay in the resin. They aren't carried over into steam-distilled essential oil, so the oil and the supplements aren't interchangeable. Never swallow the essential oil.
Types of Frankincense Essential Oil
Several Boswellia species are sold as “frankincense,” and each smells a little different. Check the botanical name on the label:
| Type | Botanical Name | Grown In | Scent and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankincense carterii | Boswellia carterii | Somalia and East Africa | Sweet, resinous, lightly citrusy. The most widely available and my go-to for blending and skin care. |
| Sacred frankincense | Boswellia sacra | Oman and Yemen | Rich, sweet and prized. Often the priciest. Some botanists now group carterii with sacra. |
| Indian frankincense | Boswellia serrata | India | Drier and more herbal, usually the most budget-friendly. |
| Frereana | Boswellia frereana | Somalia | Soft, lemony and fresh, lovely for meditation blends. |
| Ethiopian frankincense | Boswellia papyrifera | Ethiopia and Sudan | Mellow and slightly fruity, rich in octyl acetate. |
Any of them works for diffusing and skin care, so choose the scent you love and your budget allows. Here's how to choose quality essential oils.
How to Use Frankincense Safely
Frankincense is one of the gentlest essential oils, which is why it's so popular in skin care.
| Use | Dilution | Per 1 Tbsp (15 ml) | Per 10 ml Roller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, kids 2+, daily use | 1% | 3 drops | 2 drops |
| Body oils, rollers, massage | 2% | 6 drops | 4 drops |
- Patch test new blends on your inner arm first.
- Store it well: cap tightly and keep it cool and dark. Frankincense is rich in monoterpenes that oxidize over time, and oxidized oil is more likely to irritate skin.
- Never swallow the essential oil, and keep it out of reach of children.
- Pregnant or nursing? Frankincense is generally considered gentle, but check with your provider. Note that its partner myrrh should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Pets: keep oils away from cats, and diffuse only where dogs can leave the room.
More in my 7 essential oil safety tips and dilution guide.
Ways to Use Frankincense Oil
For Mature Skin and Fine Lines
Frankincense is a classic in face oils for mature skin. Add 3 drops to 1 tablespoon of rosehip or jojoba oil (1%) and smooth a few drops onto clean skin at night. Learn more about rosehip oil.
For Uneven Skin Tone and Dark Spots
Frankincense is a favorite in blends for uneven-looking skin. Try my frankincense roller blends for age spots. Always wear sunscreen, which matters most for dark spots.
For Scar Care
Once a scrape or scar has fully healed, massage a 1% to 2% frankincense blend in rosehip oil into the area daily. With time, many people find the skin looks softer and smoother. Never apply oils to open wounds.
For Calm, Deep Breathing
Frankincense is traditionally used to slow and deepen the breath. Diffuse it, or add a few drops to an aromatherapy inhaler and take slow breaths when you feel tense.
For Meditation, Prayer and Yoga
Frankincense has been part of spiritual practice for millennia. Diffuse 3 to 4 drops before meditation, prayer or yoga, or try my frankincense and elemi roller.
For Emotional Overwhelm and Grief
Its warm, grounding scent is a comfort when emotions run high. Pair it with myrrh in my frankincense and myrrh roller recipes, or with vetiver and helichrysum in my grounding blend.
In the Bath
Mix frankincense into a carrier oil or bath salts before adding it to the tub. Here's my frankincense bath oil and bath salts.
In the Diffuser
Frankincense adds warmth and depth to almost any diffuser blend. Find 10 recipes in my frankincense diffuser blends.
Easy Frankincense Recipes
Nighttime Face Oil
Adults
- 1 tablespoon rosehip or jojoba oil
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Lavender
Mix in a small dropper bottle (1%). Smooth 3 to 4 drops onto clean skin at night, avoiding the eyes.
Calm and Centered Roller
Adults and kids 6+
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Lavender
- 1 drop Bergamot FCF
- Carrier oil to fill a 10 ml roller (2%)
Roll onto wrists and the back of the neck, then take a few slow breaths.
Quiet Mind Diffuser Blend
For all ages, diffused lightly
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Cedarwood
Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes before bed or meditation.
What Blends Well With Frankincense?
Frankincense is a base note that anchors lighter oils and makes blends last longer. It loves citrus, florals, woods and other resins. Explore my pairing posts:
- What Blends Well With Frankincense and Myrrh?
- Frankincense and Cedarwood Blend
- Frankincense, Orange and Sandalwood Blend
- Frankincense, Vetiver and Helichrysum Blend
- Frankincense and Myrrh Roller Recipes
- Frankincense and Elemi Roller Recipe
Frankincense is also one of my 10 first aid essential oils. Browse my list of 150 essential oils, try my rollerball remedy kits, or grab a free essential oil guide.
Essential Oil Guide for Beginners - Getting Started
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