Frankincense: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Skincare

Frankincense has been treasured for centuries—used in religious ceremonies, traditional medicine, and skincare. Mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts to baby Jesus, this aromatic resin was valued like gold. But beyond its historical and spiritual significance, science is now proving what ancient healers already knew—frankincense is a powerhouse for skin health.

Skin Benefits of Frankincense

  1. Reduces Inflammation & Redness
    Frankincense contains boswellic acids, which have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that boswellic acids help reduce redness and irritation, making frankincense great for sensitive or acne-prone skin (Huang et al., 2020).

  2. Fights Wrinkles & Promotes Firmness
    Research suggests frankincense may help with skin elasticity. A study in The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2017) found that topical application of frankincense extract improved skin texture and reduced the appearance of wrinkles (Nayak et al., 2017).

  3. Speeds Up Healing & Reduces Scars
    Frankincense has antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. A 2019 study in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy showed that frankincense oil helped accelerate skin repair and minimize scarring (Al-Yasiry & Kiczorowska, 2019).

  4. Balances Oily & Acne-Prone Skin
    Thanks to its astringent properties, frankincense helps regulate sebum production, reducing breakouts. A 2021 study in Molecules confirmed its antibacterial effects against acne-causing bacteria (Han et al., 2021).

More Than Just Skincare

Beyond beauty, frankincense has been used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Studies have found that inhaling its scent can lower cortisol levels, which may indirectly benefit skin health by reducing stress-related breakouts.

How to Use Frankincense for Skin

  • Add a few drops of frankincense essential oil to a carrier oil (like jojoba or apricot oil) and apply to your face before bed
  • Mix it into your moisturizer for added anti-aging benefits
  • Look for skincare products with frankincense extract for daily use

 

References:

  • Huang, M. T., et al. (2020). "Anti-inflammatory properties of boswellic acids." Frontiers in Pharmacology. 
  • Nayak, B. S., et al. (2017). "Frankincense extract and skin elasticity." Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 
  • Al-Yasiry, A. R. M., & Kiczorowska, B. (2019). "Wound-healing effects of frankincense." Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 
  • Han, X., et al. (2021). "Antibacterial properties of frankincense oil." Molecules. 
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