How to Use Frankincense Oil on Face for Glowing Skin
Discover how to use frankincense oil on your face for a radiant-looking, glowing complexion. A cosmetic self-care guide with doTERRA oils for a soft, hydrated skin appearance.
How to Use Frankincense Oil on Face for Glowing Skin
By the VitalResin Team — Skincare & doTERRA enthusiasts
You’ve just unboxed a beautiful bottle of doTERRA Frankincense, drawn in by its warm, woody aroma and the promise of a more radiant-looking complexion, and now you’re standing in front of your vanity wondering what exactly to do next. The direct answer: for glowing skin, Frankincense should always be diluted with a carrier oil, then pressed gently into freshly cleansed skin as the final step before your moisturizer. We most often recommend two drops of doTERRA Frankincense in a teaspoon of jojoba or argan oil, applied morning and evening after a patch test confirms your skin tolerates it well. This simple, elegant ritual helps skin look smoother and feel softer, giving you that fresh, naturally radiant appearance that belongs in any beauty enthusiast's self-care routine.
Choosing Your Frankincense Companion: Texture and Finish
Not every carrier oil feels the same on the skin, and your choice dramatically changes your glow ritual. Frankincense itself is a botanical treasure known for helping skin look more even-toned, but the sensation and finish depend on the base. In our experience, matching the carrier to your skin’s feel is what elevates this from a blend to a luxurious moment.
Here is how the most popular carriers compare for facial application:
| Carrier Oil | Finish on Skin | Best for This Look |
|---|---|---|
| Jojoba oil | Lightweight and fast-absorbing | A barely-there, fresh-faced glow |
| Argan oil | Slightly richer, dewy finish | A plush, hydrated, luminous look |
| Rosehip oil | Soft, matte-dry finish | Maintaining a smooth, even skin tone |
| Fractionated Coconut Oil | Silky, non-greasy glide | A simple, clean canvas for makeup |
You can also explore single-note botanical oils that naturally complement Frankincense. A drop of doTERRA Lavender adds a soothing floral note, while doTERRA Rose makes the entire ritual feel wonderfully indulgent. For a look that feels calm and balanced, we often turn to doTERRA Balance or the comforting aroma of doTERRA Console.
Your 4-Step Nightly Glow Ritual
This sequence is designed for the evening, when your skin can sit with the botanical goodness overnight, and you can unwind in a moment of pure cosmetic self-care.
- Cleanse softly. Start with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to remove the day’s impurities. You want a clean canvas, but never one that feels tight or stripped. The Veráge collection from doTERRA is a beautiful option for an elegant, plant-based start.
- Mist and prepare. While your skin is still slightly damp, mist with a hydrosol or simply allow a few droplets of filtered water to remain. Damp skin absorbs the oil more readily, helping you achieve that smooth, soft texture.
- Blend in your palm. Dispense one teaspoon of your chosen carrier oil into your palm. Add two drops of Frankincense. Rub your hands together gently to warm the blend. If you are looking to soften the appearance of fine lines, consider swapping one drop of Frankincense for doTERRA Immortelle, a blend specifically crafted for a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion.
- Press, don’t rub. Using open palms, press the oil blend firmly but gently into your face and neck. Spend a moment breathing in the warm, grounding aroma. Pressing pushes the botanical compounds into the upper layers of the skin without tugging, which is what you want for maintaining the look of supple, bouncy skin.
What we recommend most often is finishing with a light, hydrating gel moisturizer over the top, like the doTERRA Essential Skin Care Hydrating Cream, to lock everything in. If you prefer a touch application, doTERRA Frankincense Touch comes pre-diluted and rolls on effortlessly, making it perfect for travel or a midday freshness touch-up.
Building Morning Radiance With a Botanical Blend
A daytime routine needs to be lighter, leaving your skin looking radiant but ready for SPF. doTERRA HD Clear is a blend designed entirely with the appearance of blemish-prone skin in mind, and it layers beautifully with Frankincense. Mix one drop of each into a pea-sized amount of your daily moisturizer.
For a quick, brightening morning booster, consider adding cold-pressed doTERRA Lemon to your routine. A single drop in your nighttime oil blend helps skin look refreshed and vibrant by morning. An important cosmetic safety note: Lemon and other citrus oils are photosensitive. Always avoid direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after applying them to the skin to prevent a blotchy, uneven look. A patch test on your inner arm before any new facial application is a wise habit.
FAQ
Can I apply frankincense oil directly to my face? No, you should not apply it undiluted. Pure essential oils are highly concentrated botanicals and can cause visible redness or irritation on delicate facial skin. Always dilute Frankincense in a carrier oil, with the safest starting ratio being one to two drops per teaspoon of your chosen carrier.
How long does it take to see a more glowing appearance? This varies for everyone. Some people notice their skin looks instantly more hydrated and feels softer after the first application. For the look of a more even, radiant complexion, consistency over several weeks is what yields the most visible cosmetic results in our experience.
Which doTERRA blend combines frankincense for an anti-aging look? Immortelle is the most popular choice. Its proprietary blend of precious botanicals like Helichrysum, Rose, and Frankincense is specifically formulated to help soften the appearance of fine lines and promote a smoother, more youthful-looking skin texture. You can read more about the cosmetic appearance benefits of these oils in our article on frankincense face oil benefits.