When one thinks of frankincense, they tend to think biblically in context. It conjures an image of the wisemen bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus both in various stories and songs.  I will confess, I didn't actually know what either of those things were (were they substances, were they jewels, I had no idea as kid!)  

Frankincense and Myrrh Were a Rare Luxury

Both of these coveted gifts were actually considered luxury items during this often-discussed and revered time period in history. Frankincense was gifted in the form of a partially hardened resin that was collected from the boswellia tree, while myrrh was thought to be gifted in the form of oil extracted from the commiphora tree. Both substances were used as luxury perfumes or components of perfumes, incense and anointing oils for worship, as well as in medicinal preparations of the time.

Frankincense and Your Skin

While it is traditionally thought to be a great essential oil to add to 'mature skin' preparations, frankincense essential oil and resins actually have a much broader roster of potential uses for skin of all ages.  The scent is probably a bit taste-specific, and may not resonate (or shall I say 'resin-ate') with everyone. However it has grown on me as I've used it.

The scent, to me, is very earthy and grounding with hints of spicy ginger, tea tree oil and perhaps even just a tad reminiscent of rosemary oil. So you can imagine, all three of those oils are deeply medicinal and earthy smelling - frankincense is very similar to that whole category of scent.

Mature Skin and Frankincense Essential Oil

For purposes of this post, we will focus on frankcincense essential oil since it is the most well-known, widely available, and studied.  Keep in mind there are other forms of frankincense - resin, resin-infused oils, powder, hydrosol water and more.  

The essential oil of frankincense has been well-studied for its skincare benefits. Although there are many other uses when it comes to skincare, it gets most attention for its anti-aging benefits. Among its most important age-defying properties are its ability to help skin cells regenerate - and healthfully so.

It has been shown to assist in the healthy turnover of skin cells, which of course is anti-aging in and of itself since this produces a more vibrant, brightened appearance. It also has gained attention for use in preventing or help reduce basal cell carcinoma lesions, which are the most common form of skin cancer and thankfully the least dangerous due to the fact they are 'surface' in their presence and still easier to treat. Related: Garlic's Anti-Cancer Properties

This is probably directly attributed to their healthy cell regeneration and turnover capabilities. In addition, there is some evidence supporting its ability to assist in healthy collagen production.  The  fact that frankincense essential oil shows strong anti-inflammatory properties also directly relates to its anti-aging reputation.

In other words, chronically inflamed skin accelerates the appearance of aging and in fact is a big part of the underlying reason for slackness, dull color, puffiness, age spots and the many attributes of aging skin.  

Frankincense Essential Oil for Acne Prone Skin

This powerful oil isn't just for aging skin though!  It has demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory properties so it can be very useful in calming redness and rosacea so long as its used in the proper diluations. It also happens to be high in antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a great choice for acne prone skin. Related: Which Oils Are Least Likely to Clog Pores?

It also has gentle astringent qualities, meaning it will deeply cleanse and grab acne-causing bacteria in the process, without stripping the skin of its protective acid mantle barrier. The added benefit of its assistance in healthy cell regeneration and turnover just adds to acne-prone skin friendliness since clearing the debris that can pile up as our skin cells shed has acne-preventive consequences in keeping the pores debris-free.

In addition, since its astringent qualities lead to a tangential benefit called "toning", which means it lends itself to tightening and firming, it helps your skin to look more lifted, taut and firm.  This can help not only smooth the appearance of crepiness, wrinkles and fine lines, but can also help reduce the appearance of common acne scar residuals like pitting, ice pick scars and overall bumpiness.