Part of our Incense & Resin Fragrance Family guide.
Frankincense (along with myrrh) is perhaps best known in connection with spirituality.
In fact, it’s been used in religious rites and traded in the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia, and the eastern Mediterranean for over 6,000 years. We’ve all heard of frankincense but what is it and how does it smell?
What Is Frankincense?
Frankincense (Olibanum) is an aromatic resin harvested from the trees of the genus Boswellia. There are five main species of trees that produce frankincense in different qualities and scents.
The trees are incredibly hardy and are able to thrive in surprisingly difficult environments the species Boswellia sacra sometimes even grow directly out of rock.
At 8-10 years old, the trees begin to produce resin and get tapped by slashing the bark 2-3 times a year. The drips of resin are called tears. These are sorted by hand with the more opaque resins usually considered the highest quality.
Due to overharvesting, clearing of woodlands for agriculture, and longhorn beetle, the population of frankincense trees is dwindling.
What Does Frankincense Smell Like?
The smell of frankincense varies both by species as well as soil and even weather conditions.
However, in general, it could be described as aromatic, musty pine with notes of citrus and spice. It’s an austere, earthy scent somewhat similar to rosemary.
The distilled essential oils tend to have a sweeter and brighter scent than resins, and this is what is typically used in incense and perfumery.
Benefits of Frankincense
Besides its historical use in perfumes, ointments, and religious ceremonies, frankincense may also have some health benefits.
One of the better-studied frankincense benefits is its anti-inflammatory action. Research indicates that frankincense contains terpenes like boswellic acid, which can reduce the release of leukotrienes (the source of inflammation).
Worth being precise about what that research covers: it studies oral extracts of the resin, not wearing frankincense as a fragrance, and reviews note the compounds are poorly absorbed in humans. It is interesting chemistry, not a treatment.
Its place on this site is as one of the oldest perfume materials still in continuous use.
The Use of Frankincense in Perfumery
As noted above, frankincense has been used as a perfume ingredient for thousands of years. You may best know its place in the Bible, as it was one of the gifts of the Magi (Wise Men).
Additionally, it also appears as an ingredient in anointing oil and holy incense, an immensely important part of Jewish holy ceremonies.
Outside of the Jewish tradition, frankincense has been present in the Arabian Peninsula for five millennia, and it was produced in China in the 1200s.
In the present day, though, frankincense is used in a variety of perfumes for men and women, with its esoteric scent adding depth to various aromas. We couldn’t pin it to one mood: it works in cool meditative scents and warm ambers alike.
Due to its ancient origins, some people wonder does frankincense smell like sandalwood? The answer is no. Even though it has an amber woody scent, it’s not sensual or creamy.
Frankincense vs Myrrh
Frankincense and myrrh are almost always mentioned together, but they smell distinct. Frankincense is the brighter, cooler, more citrus-and-pine resin; myrrh is darker, warmer, and more bittersweet and earthy. Perfumers often pair them so each balances the other, and frankincense also sits comfortably beside oud, amber, and sandalwood.
| Frankincense | Myrrh | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Resin from Boswellia trees (olibanum) | Resin from Commiphora trees |
| Smells like | Bright, resinous, piney-citrusy, smoky | Warm, bittersweet, earthy, balsamic |
| Character | Cool, lifted, meditative | Dark, heavy, medicinal-sweet |
| Classic role | Church incense, the “holy smoke” | Embalming; a warm resinous base |
Frankincense is the classic incense material, and perfumers treat building an incense scent as a craft in itself:
“My challenge was to create a magnificent incense scent… In total, I selected three types of incense, whose olfactive profiles are complementary.”
Fabrice Pellegrin, perfumer, in his Everfumed interview
Frankincense FAQ
Does frankincense smell like church incense?
Yes. Frankincense is the classic resin burned as church incense. In perfume it reads as resinous and smoky with a bright, almost citrusy and piney lift over a warm balsamic base, exactly the “holy smoke” impression many people recognise.
What is the difference between frankincense and myrrh?
Both are aromatic tree resins often mentioned together, but they smell different. Frankincense is brighter, drier, and more citrus-pine and peppery; myrrh is darker, warmer, and more bittersweet and earthy. They are frequently paired because each balances the other.
Is frankincense masculine or feminine?
Neither. It is unisex. Its cool, resinous, incense character works in meditative unisex scents and in warm ambers alike, so its feel depends far more on the notes around it than on any gendered label.
What notes pair well with frankincense?
Citrus (it shares a bright, zesty facet), other resins like myrrh and labdanum, woods such as sandalwood and cedar, warm spices, and oud. These pairings play up either its fresh, lifted side or its smoky, balsamic depth.
Final Thoughts
What does myrrh and frankincense smell like? Frankincense’s soft, piney, earthy scent is the smell most people already recognise as church incense. On top of that, it has a rich history that spans multiple continents and thousands of years.
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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.
