Why I Use Frankincense Resin Instead of Essential Oil

Frankincense has been used for thousands of years for skincare, medicine, and aromatherapy  But today, most people only ever encounter it as an essential oil.

I used to do the same.

Over time, I switched to working with whole frankincense resin instead and I haven’t gone back. Here’s why.

First, what’s the difference?

Frankincense essential oil is made by steam-distilling the hardened resin from Boswellia trees. That process captures only the volatile aromatic compounds that evaporate during distillation.

Raw frankincense resin, on the other hand, is the entire natural substance the tree produces. It contains:

• resins (about 60–85%)
• gums (about 6–30%)
• essential oil (about 5–9%)

In other words: essential oil is just one small fraction of the original material.

The biggest reason I choose resin: boswellic acids

One of the most studied groups of compounds in frankincense are boswellic acids.

These compounds are strongly associated with anti-inflammatory activity and have been investigated for conditions like arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.

Here’s the key detail most people don’t realize:

Boswellic acids are not present in meaningful amounts in steam-distilled frankincense essential oil.

They’re too heavy and non-volatile to carry over during distillation, so they remain in the resin itself.

If you’re using frankincense specifically for skin support or inflammation-related concerns, this difference matters.

Essential oil isn’t “bad.” It’s just different.

Frankincense essential oil still contains beneficial compounds, especially monoterpenes like alpha-pinene, which dominate its chemical profile.

These are responsible for:

• its classic scent
• its use in aromatherapy
• some antimicrobial and calming properties

But essential oil is primarily an aromatic extract, not the full therapeutic profile of the resin.

So the question becomes: what are you actually trying to get from frankincense?

Resin keeps the plant closer to its original form

When I work with resin, infusing it into oil, I’m using the material much closer to how it’s been used historically.

Frankincense resin has documented use going back at least 5,000 years in Egyptian, Chinese, and Ayurvedic traditions.

That doesn’t automatically make it better. But it does mean the traditional uses people associate with frankincense were based on the whole resin, not distilled oil.

Resin-based infusions are gentler for skin

Undiluted essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate skin if used improperly.

Resin infusions (where the resin is steeped in a carrier oil) are naturally milder because they extract heavier compounds rather than only volatile aromatics.

That makes them easier to work into everyday skincare routines.

The scent is completely different

This surprised me the most.

Essential oil smells bright, sharp, and pine-like.

Resin smells deeper, warmer, and more grounded.

If what you’re looking for is the traditional incense-style aroma people associate with frankincense historically, resin gets much closer.

There’s also a marketing gap most people don’t notice

Essential oils are easy to bottle, label, and sell.

Resin is slower to prepare, harder to standardize, and less convenient.

That alone explains why essential oil dominates the conversation even though it represents only part of what frankincense actually is.

So why do I personally choose resin?

For me, it comes down to three things:

1. It contains compounds essential oil doesn’t
2. It reflects traditional use more closely
3. It’s more versatile for skincare and home use

Essential oil still has its place. I just don’t rely on it as my primary form of frankincense anymore.

If you’ve only ever used the oil, trying the resin can completely change how you experience this plant.