Frankincense is a fragrance deeply connected with religion, having been burned as incense throughout the Middle East and Europe for thousands of years.
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Perhaps the most famous appearance of this fragrant resin is as a gift for a young Jesus, courtesy of some traveling wisemen.
Frankincense is a historic and well-respected scent, but many are still unsure of what frankincense smells like.
In a nut shell, it has a piney scent with hints of citrus and spice, making this austere, amber woody scent a popular base for perfumes.
Suppose you’re intrigued by this earthy aroma and want to try it in a fragrance. Here are six of the best frankincense perfumes reviewed.
Our Top Picks: Frankincense Perfumes
Frankincense and myrrh perfume are among the best historic fragrances you can find. For this specific list, we will discuss frankincense perfume oils and many more.
Best Classic Perfume
Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle is an elegant, deep, timeless, and modern perfume.
Turkish rose provides the leading floral scent, blackcurrant, raspberry, and clove give a warm, spicy follow-up, and frankincense joins patchouli and sandalwood in a woodsy base.
PROS: Unique scent, long-lasting
CONS: It might be a heavy scent for some
- For: Women
- Seasons: Winter, Fall
- Wear it: Evening or night
- Launched: 2010
Best Travel-Inspired Perfume
Timbuktu by L’Artisan Parfumeur is inspired by the perfumery ritual called “Wusulan,” used by Malian women to seduce and secure true love.
This woody, multidimensional fragrance captures the essence of this ritual with the scent of mango, pink pepper, and cardamom.
The frankincense hits the nose soon after, combined with papyrus and karo karounde. Warm, spicy notes of vetiver, myrrh, patchouli, and benzoin form this perfume’s scent base.
PROS: Fresh and flexible, suitable to wear at the office or club.
CONS: Only some people can pull it off.
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall
- Wear It: Day
- Launched: 2004
Best Summer Perfume
L’eau Froide by Surge Lutens, the name means “cold water.” True to its name, this fresh, minty perfume is designed to provide aromatic refreshment for any summer day.
Sea water and frankincense accompany the mint to make a light and clean scent. This women’s perfume with frankincense is sure to get you feeling refreshed and renewed even on the hottest days.
PROS: Refreshing as a cool breeze on a July day.
CONS: Lack of depth
- For: Women
- Seasons: Summer
- Wear It: Day
- Launch: 2011
Best Uniquely Scented Perfume
Encens Chembur by Byredo is named after the suburb of Mumbai, where the mother of Ben Gorham, Byrendo’s founder, was born and raised.
The amber spice of this fragrance, infused with frankincense and citrus, is meant to evoke Hindu temple ceremonies. This well-blended perfume is an adventurous scent that will turn heads.
PROS: Well-balanced, unique
CONS: Pricey
- For: Men and women
- Seasons: Spring and fall
- Wear It: Day
- Launch: 2008
Best Bold Perfume
Opus VI by Amouage is an amber, woody, and spicy scent inspired by “the destruction and reinvention of knowledge and memories.”
Another inspiration is amber, a traditional remedy for a broken heart. Frankincense is one of the top notes, along with sichuan pepper and St Thomas bay.
Periploca, cypriol, and patchouli provide a sweet, earthy heart, and amber, sandalwood, and citus form a bold base.
PROS: One spritz on the wrist should be enough to last all day.
CONS: It can be overpowering if used too liberally.
- For: Men and Women
- Seasons: Winter and Fall
- Wear It: Night and evening
- Launch: 2012
Best Pure Frankincense Perfume
For true frankincense fanatics, we recommend Demeter Frankincense by Demeter. This scent has nothing but frankincense, meaning that all the amber, smoky, balsamic spice of the ancient resin will be yours to savor fully.
We can also recommend this to fragrance explorers looking to get a sense of the frankincense experience and, from there, try one of the blended perfumes on this list.
PROS: Low cost, the perfect way to sample the scent of frankincense
CONS: Contains only one scent
- For: Men and Women
- Seasons: Winter and Fall
- Wear It: Day and Night
- Launch: 2015
Final Thoughts
Frankincense has been an iconic fragrance the world over. Its frequent use in religious ceremonies speaks to its ability to create a sense of enchantment and grandeur.
Perfumers have captured this incense’s magical essence, blending it with various olfactory sensations to create magical elixirs.
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Selena Marc is a fragrance enthusiast, freelance writer, and dog mom living in Houston, Texas. When she's not writing about her favorite new perfumes, you can find her enjoying yoga or a morning hike.