In short
Frankincense, or olibanum, oil is distilled from the resin of Boswellia trees. It gives the fresh, lemony, resinous smell of church incense.
What Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) smells like
Frankincense (olibanum) oil is strongly diffusive and fresh-terpeney, almost green-lemon-like and not turpentine-like, with a pepperiness mellowed by a rich, sweet-woody, balsamic undertone, in Arctander's description as quoted by Scentspiracy; its dry-out varies with distillation. Firmenich describes its olibanum as spicy, lemony and balsamic, reminiscent of myrrh and elemi; The Good Scents Company lists peppery, terpenic, resinous and incense-like. Descriptions vary by Boswellia species.
- Leading note
- Fresh incense resin
- Clear facets
- Lemony, green
- Supporting facets
- Peppery, sweet-woody balsamic
- Faint facets
- Smoky
- Character
- Diffusive, fresh, luminous
What makes Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) distinctive
Incense before it is burned: fresh, lemony and terpenic over a sweet, woody balsam.
How Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) is used
Used in incense, woody, oriental, citrus and spicy compositions as a top-to-base resin.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend); lift (adds diffusion and radiance, especially at the top).
How Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) differs from similar materials
- Elemi Oil
- Firmenich describes olibanum as reminiscent of elemi; elemi is lighter and more lemony-peppery, frankincense more incense-like and balsamic. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Myrrh Oil
- Myrrh is warm, balsamic and sharper-medicinal; frankincense is fresher, lemony and terpenic. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Mastic Oil
- Mastic is closer to pine sap, greener and more terpenic; frankincense is lemony with an incense-like base. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Frankincense Absolute
- Frankincense absolute is the warmer, ambery-vanillic, balsamic incense; the oil is fresher and more terpenic.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Contains monoterpenes that oxidise; store cold.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Essential oil
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Resinous / Citrus
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Olibanum oil
- Botanical source
- Boswellia sacra Flück. / Boswellia carterii Birdw.
- CAS number
- 8016-36-2
The CAS number was checked on 19 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. A natural material is a mixture, so it has no single formula; its composition varies with origin and processing.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Myrrh Oil
Essential oil · Resinous / Spicy — resinous, bitter, balsamic, medicinal
-
Elemi Oil
Essential oil · Resinous / Citrus — resinous, lemony, peppery, fresh
-
Labdanum Absolute
Absolute · Amber / Leather — amber, balsamic, leathery, animalic
-
Aldehyde C-12 MNA
Aroma chemical · Aldehydic / Woody — aldehydic, resinous, ambergris, incense
-
Mastic Oil
Essential oil · Resinous / Aromatic — balsamic, piney, fresh, resinous
Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Black Agar Givco 215/2, Elemi Resinoid, Frankincense Absolute, Myrrh Resinoid, Olibanum Resinoid Vulcain and Spikenard Oil.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 8 published formulas
Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) is an ingredient in 7 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Frankincense Oil (Olibanum)
Is Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) natural or synthetic?
Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) is natural. It is a volatile oil obtained from plant material by steam distillation or, for citrus peels, by cold expression.
What is the CAS number of Frankincense Oil (Olibanum)?
8016-36-2, the registry number for the essential oil as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Frankincense Oil (Olibanum)?
Frankincense Oil (Olibanum) is used in 8 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Bright Resin Accord, Citrus Censer and Dune Spice Market. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — substance 135343542, checked 19 October 2026.
- Scentspiracy — Frankincense oil (quoting Arctander) — distributor's description.
- The Good Scents Company — olibanum oil — odour database.
- Premiere Peau — Olibanum (frankincense) — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.