Discover One of The Most Overlooked and Misunderstood Botanical Allies in Skincare
Frankincense has been used for thousands of years to support healing, balance, and renewal, yet in modern skincare, it’s often reduced to fragrance or mysticism. In an industry driven by instant gratification and aggressive actives, frankincense offers something far more enduring: support for skin that functions well, adapts to stress, and renews itself over time.
This isn’t about “turning back the clock.” It’s about supporting cellular renewal, skin health, and longevity.
“Eternal Youth Serum sounds like a stretch claim, but after using it in the last few weeks, my skin looks so healthy and youthful. My elderly mom even complimented me to keep up whatever I was doing! I had a cellular micronutrient assay done to look at the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that my unique cellular makeup is lacking or could benefit from. Boswellia (frankincense) came up as one of my highly protective antioxidants… and I can visibly see why!”
Jen M (verified customer)
What Is Frankincense (and Why It Matters)
Frankincense is the hardened resin of Boswellia trees. Unlike leaves or flowers, resins form as a protective response; sealing wounds, defending against environmental stress, and preserving the integrity of the plant itself.
Those same protective qualities are what make frankincense so compelling for skin health and overall health.
Frankincense is unique because it’s made up of three parts:
• Essential oil: volatile aromatic compounds responsible for the scent
• Gum: water-soluble sugars and polysaccharides
• Resin: oil-soluble compounds, including boswellic acids
The compounds most associated with frankincense’s skin-supportive properties are boswellic acids, which are found primarily in the resin portion.
Boswellic acids are not present in meaningful amounts in the essential oils, because they are too heavy to travel through the steam during distillation.
Similarly, simple oil infusions often extract only small amounts, because boswellic acids are tightly bound within the hardened resin and require more intentional extraction techniques to release them.
This distinction is where frankincense is often misunderstood in skincare. When we talk about frankincense supporting skin health and overall health, the presence of boswellic acids is incredibly important.
Research on Boswellic Acids
Research on boswellic acids, the bioactive compounds found in the resin portion of frankincense, shows several properties that support skin health:
• Antioxidant activity that helps neutralize free radicals
• Anti-inflammatory effects that help calm irritated or stressed skin
• Antimicrobial support that helps maintain a balanced skin environment
• Tissue-supportive pathways associated with cellular repair and renewal
Together, these mechanisms help support healthier skin function, resilience, and long-term skin vitality.
From Ingredient to Outcome
When frankincense is extracted with intention, it becomes far more than a symbolic ingredient.
In formulations designed around barrier integrity and cellular support, boswellic-acid-rich frankincense can contribute to:
• Calmer-looking skin under environmental stress
• Improved texture and clarity over time
• Skin that responds more resiliently to daily exposure
• A more balanced, healthy appearance overall
These outcomes come from supporting the skin’s own ability to maintain and restore itself.
Our Multi-Step Extraction Approach
At Flower & Fern, we use a multi-step extraction process designed to respect the chemistry of the resin.
This approach allows us to:
• Separate volatile aromatic compounds from the heavier resin components
• Extract and preserve oil-soluble boswellic acids without degrading them
• Carry these compounds into stable, skin-compatible formulations
Rather than choosing between aroma or function, this process preserves both.
The goal isn’t intensity. It’s meaningful levels of the compounds that matter.
Meet Our Frankincense + Myrrh Collection
Our collection uses whole-resin extracts and slow botanical infusions to deliver these powerful compounds in formulas designed to nourish, restore, and support healthy-looking skin.
Eternal Youth All-In-One Radiance Serum
A concentrated botanical serum designed to support skin renewal, improve tone and texture, and deliver antioxidant protection. Frankincense and myrrh resin extracts work alongside bakuchiol and THDA vitamin C to promote visibly smoother, brighter, more resilient skin.
Eternal Youth Intensive Age Cream
A deeply restorative tallow balm designed to nourish, replenish, and support skin renewal. Rich botanicals and frankincense resin extract help strengthen the skin barrier and promote smoother, healthier-looking skin.
A slow-infused blend of castor oil, frankincense, and myrrh designed to support skin repair and renewal. This deeply nourishing oil helps soothe dryness, soften the skin, and promote a calm, balanced complexion.
Fountain of Youth Serum | Nature’s Retinol
A plant-powered serum featuring castor oil and bakuchiol, often called nature’s retinol. It helps support collagen production, refine texture, and promote visibly smoother skin without irritation.
A nutrient-rich jojoba serum slowly infused with frankincense and myrrh resin. Designed to strengthen the skin barrier, replenish moisture, and deliver antioxidant support for balanced, healthy-looking skin.
A pure botanical hydrosol distilled from frankincense resin to gently tone, hydrate, and refresh the skin. Helps calm irritation, refine the appearance of pores, and prepare the skin for serums and moisturizers.
The Takeaway
Frankincense bridges ancient wisdom and modern botanical science. It doesn’t promise instant perfection, but it does help defend skin against aging pathways in a way that aligns with holistic health and barrier integrity. By grounding our formulations in full-spectrum plant constituents, particularly boswellic acids, we ensure your skin receives the type of nourishment that supports long-term resilience and function.