Frankincense resin doesn’t fully dissolve in oil the way sugar dissolves in water. The resin contains water-soluble gum alongside its oil-soluble compounds, so the goal is to extract as much of the beneficial resin and aromatic material into your carrier oil as possible, then strain out what remains. With the right preparation and enough time, you can produce a richly fragrant, skin-nourishing infused oil at home.
Why Frankincense Won’t Fully Dissolve
Most frankincense varieties are classified as oleo-gum-resins. That means each piece of resin contains three distinct components: essential oil (volatile aromatic compounds), resin (which is lipid-soluble), and water-soluble gum. The gum portion simply cannot dissolve in oil no matter how long you wait or how much heat you apply. This is why your finished infusion will always have some sediment at the bottom, and why straining is a non-negotiable step.
The compounds you actually want in your oil are the aromatic terpenes and the resin acids, including boswellic acids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These are fat-soluble and will transfer into a carrier oil given enough surface area and time.
Grinding the Resin First
Powdering the resin before infusing is the single most important step. Because the water-soluble gum acts like a shell around the oil-soluble compounds, you need to break the resin into the finest particles you can. The finer the powder, the more resin surface gets exposed to the oil, and the more complete your extraction will be.
Frankincense is sticky at room temperature, which makes grinding frustrating. The workaround is to freeze it first. Place your resin pieces in the freezer for at least an hour. Once they’re cold and brittle, grind them quickly in a mortar and pestle or a dedicated coffee grinder before they warm up and get tacky again. Aim for a coarse powder at minimum. A fine powder is better but harder to achieve without the resin clumping.
Choosing a Carrier Oil
Your carrier oil affects both the final texture and how long the infusion lasts before going rancid. The most commonly used options are jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil. Each has trade-offs worth considering.
- Jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax, which gives it an exceptionally long shelf life. It absorbs well without feeling greasy and works for most skin types.
- Sweet almond oil penetrates skin deeply and may help balance oil production, making it a good choice if you plan to use the infusion as a facial oil. It does have a shorter shelf life than jojoba.
- Fractionated coconut oil stays liquid at room temperature and is very lightweight. Its medium-chain fatty acid structure makes it absorb quickly. It’s also nearly odorless, so it won’t compete with the frankincense scent.
- Olive oil is inexpensive and easy to find, but it has a strong smell and a heavier feel on the skin. It works well for body oils or balms where a thicker texture is desirable.
If shelf life matters to you, jojoba and fractionated coconut are your safest bets. Avoid oils that oxidize quickly, like grapeseed or flaxseed.
The Cold Infusion Method
Cold infusion requires no special equipment and produces excellent results. Place your powdered frankincense in a clean, dry glass jar (mason jars work perfectly) and pour your carrier oil over it. A common starting ratio is about one part resin to four or five parts oil by volume. You can adjust this depending on how concentrated you want the final product.
Seal the jar tightly and store it in a warm spot. A sunny windowsill works well, as the gentle warmth from sunlight speeds extraction without degrading the oil. Shake or stir the jar once a day to keep the resin particles circulating. Plan on at least four to five weeks for a good extraction. Some people leave theirs for two months or longer, which deepens the scent and color.
The Warm Infusion Method
If you don’t want to wait a month, gentle heat can accelerate the process significantly. The key word is gentle. High heat will damage the volatile aromatic compounds you’re trying to capture and can degrade your carrier oil.
Place your jar of resin and oil in a pot of water and warm it on the lowest setting your stove allows. You want the oil to be warm to the touch, not hot. Think of it like a double boiler. Keep it at this low temperature for several hours, stirring occasionally. Some people repeat this process over two or three days, warming the oil for a few hours each time and letting it cool overnight. The resin will not melt into the oil, but you’ll see the oil take on color and fragrance as the soluble compounds transfer over.
A slow cooker on its lowest setting can also work. Just monitor the temperature closely. If the oil starts to smoke or smell burnt, it’s far too hot.
Straining and Filtering
Once your infusion time is up, you’ll see a layer of gritty sediment at the bottom of your jar. This is the water-soluble gum that never dissolved, along with any resin particles that didn’t fully release their compounds. You need to remove all of it for a clean, usable oil.
The most reliable method is to line a fine mesh strainer with a paper towel and pour the oil through it. Cheesecloth folded over several times also works well. Coffee filters seem like a logical choice, but they tend to clog quickly with the fine resin particles, especially once the oil cools and thickens. If you do use a coffee filter, keep the oil warm so it flows more freely.
For the clearest possible result, strain twice. Do a first pass through cheesecloth to catch the larger particles, then a second pass through a paper towel or fine cloth to catch the remaining grit. Let gravity do the work rather than pressing or squeezing, which forces sediment through the filter.
Does the Grade of Frankincense Matter?
Frankincense comes in several grades and species. Hojari (from Boswellia sacra) is often marketed as premium, while lower grades from the same species sell for less. Research comparing Hojari and lower-grade Sha’bi frankincense found very similar chemical compositions, with differences mainly in the quantities of specific compounds rather than the types. In antimicrobial testing, the grade had no statistically significant effect on performance. So while Hojari may have a slightly more refined aroma, a less expensive grade can produce a perfectly effective infused oil.
The species matters more than the grade when it comes to scent profile. Boswellia sacra (from Oman) and Boswellia carterii (from East Africa) tend to have a bright, citrusy aroma. Boswellia serrata (from India) smells earthier and is more commonly used in supplement form. For a skin oil with a classic frankincense scent, sacra or carterii are your best options.
Storage and Shelf Life
Transfer your finished oil into dark glass bottles, filled as close to the top as possible. The less air in the bottle, the slower the oil will oxidize. Amber or cobalt blue bottles are ideal. Avoid plastic containers entirely, as frankincense compounds can actually degrade certain plastics.
Stored in a cool, dark place, your infused oil should last about one to two years. Refrigeration can extend this further, though some carrier oils like coconut will solidify in the cold. The shelf life depends largely on which carrier oil you used. Jojoba-based infusions last the longest, while almond and olive oil infusions should be used within a year. If your oil starts to smell stale or rancid, discard it.
Using the Finished Oil
A frankincense-infused carrier oil is gentler than pure frankincense essential oil because the concentration of active compounds is lower. Most people can apply it directly to the skin without further dilution, though it’s worth testing a small patch on your inner wrist first. Some people do experience mild skin irritation from frankincense compounds, particularly on sensitive areas like the face or neck.
Common uses include facial serums, massage oils, beard oils, and homemade balms or salves. The oil blends well with other infused oils (like calendula or lavender) if you want to layer benefits. You can also add a few drops of frankincense essential oil to your infused oil for a stronger scent, though this isn’t necessary if your cold infusion was properly extracted over several weeks.