Frankincense, known for its ancient uses, was famously used by Cleopatra and even burned in some churches. This resin, derived from a tree, has been a staple in skincare, medicine, and religious practices for thousands of years because of its soothing and clarifying properties. It’s a key ingredient in many skincare products, like frankincense face cream.
Frankincense is quite remarkable because it has been used historically to reduce pain and inflammation, and scientists continue to uncover more about its benefits. For instance, a 2015 study in the European Review found that frankincense cream helped cancer patients by alleviating painful skin inflammation without any adverse effects. It also fights off a broad array of skin pathogens, including viruses, cold sores, and fungi like candida. Even if your facial skin is not severely damaged, frankincense still provides calming and restorative benefits for various skin concerns. A 2007 study in Phytomedicine suggested its antibacterial properties could assist with conditions like acne and eczema—and it smells delightful too!
A 2010 study found that frankincense cream reduced signs of aging and damage from UV exposure, like wrinkles and dark spots. The market offers many varieties of frankincense essential oil, with differences in quality and fragrance. A significant issue, however, is the environmental impact, as essential oils require a lot of plant material, and frankincense trees, particularly the Boswellia sacra species, are often overharvested. To address these concerns, it’s wise to choose an essential oil from a company that practices ethical and sustainable sourcing, like Plant Therapy.
When it comes to skincare products, you might wonder about the differences between serums, lotions, and creams. Serums are liquid blends (like a favorite vitamin C serum), while lotions and creams are thicker emulsions of water and oil. Lotions contain more water, whereas creams are thicker with a higher proportion of oil.
This particular frankincense face cream recipe focuses on oils instead of water. Without water, the formula lasts longer without preservatives. Unlike water, coconut oil, though popular, has some drawbacks for facial skincare because it can clog pores and sometimes causes dryness. So, this face cream includes other oils that are friendlier to facial skin.
Creating your own face cream has its perks—you can tailor it according to your skin type! You can experiment with various liquid carrier oils. Although the focus here is on frankincense, other essential oils complement it well, are safe for the skin, and add pleasing aromas. Mango butter offers a similar texture to shea butter but is more astringent, making it suitable for oily or normal skin, while shea butter works better for dry skin. If you enjoy a particular texture, whipping the face cream gives it an airy and smooth consistency. While using a whisk attachment on a stand or hand mixer is ideal, a hand whisk might not produce the same satisfying results.
This overview was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board-certified family physician. As always, remember that this isn’t personal medical advice, so it’s best to talk with your doctor. Have you ever tried making your own beauty products? Would you consider trying this frankincense face cream?
