Yarrow Pom vs Frankincense Face Oil for Luminous Skin
Yarrow Pom or Frankincense face oil for luminous skin? We compare texture, glow, and best skin types to help you choose your ideal botanical ritual.

By the VitalResin Team β Skincare & doTERRA enthusiasts
You are standing in front of your shelf, two beautiful doTERRA oils in hand, wondering which one belongs in tonight's glow ritual. The direct answer: choose Yarrow Pom if you want a lightweight, fast-absorbing botanical face oil that leaves skin looking refreshed and even, and choose Frankincense if your focus is a richer, more time-honored daily practice for softening the appearance of fine lines on drier or more mature-looking skin. Both are CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade), doTERRA's own purity and testing standard, and both work beautifully inside a dilution of 1% in a carrier oil (about 1 drop per 5 ml of jojoba) for the face. The real difference is texture, feel, and what you want your ritual to do.
Texture, Absorption, and First Impressions
The most immediate difference between these two oils is how they sit on the skin. Yarrow|Pom combines cold-pressed pomegranate seed oil with yarrow essential oil, which gives it a silky, almost dry-touch finish. It absorbs quickly, layers well under makeup, and feels like nothing after a minute. Frankincense essential oil, by contrast, is not a vegetable oil at all: it is an essential oil that must always be blended into a carrier like Fractionated Coconut Oil or jojoba. The resulting blend feels slightly richer and slower to sink in, which many people love as the final step of an evening routine.
Here is a comparison to help you choose more quickly.
| Criterion | Yarrow|Pom | Frankincense (diluted) | | --- | --- | --- | | Texture on skin | Lightweight, silky, fast-absorbing | Slightly richer, more emollient | | Main cosmetic focus | Brighter, more even-looking glow | Softening the look of fine lines | | Best skin feel match | Oily, combination, or normal skin | Dry, mature, or parched-looking skin | | Mixing | Ready to use as a face oil | Must dilute to 1% in a carrier | | Scent | Soft, fruity, green | Warm, resinous, honeyed | | When it feels best | Morning or daytime glow | Evening, slow ritual |
Which One to Choose Based on Your Skin
In our experience, the decision almost always comes down to how your skin feels at the end of the day, not just what you want the oil to do.
Choose Yarrow|Pom if:
- Your skin tends toward shine by midday and you want a face oil that does not add weight.
- You want one product that can double as a morning moisture step under sunscreen or makeup.
- You love the idea of pomegranate seed oil as a botanical base with a soft, fruity scent.
Choose Frankincense if:
- Your skin often feels tight, rough, or dehydrated, especially in winter or dry climates.
- You want a classic, meditative ritual that has been part of botanical skincare traditions for centuries.
- You are comfortable measuring drops and blending your own face oil at a 1% dilution.
One honest limitation of Yarrow|Pom is that people with very dry skin sometimes find it not rich enough, while Frankincense can feel too heavy for oily skin if overused. Both should be patch tested before first use: one diluted drop in the inner elbow, then wait 24 hours.
A Simple Ritual for a Luminous-Looking Complexion
Whichever oil you choose, consistency matters more than the product itself. Here is a simple three-step routine we recommend most often.
- Cleanse gently with warm water and a soft cloth, then pat skin until just barely damp.
- While skin is still slightly moist, apply one to two drops of Yarrow|Pom directly, or a pre-blended 1% Frankincense face oil (1 drop of Frankincense in 5 ml of jojoba).
- Press the oil into the skin with your palms for 30 seconds rather than rubbing, then pause and breathe.
If you enjoy a more layered evening ritual, pairing Frankincense Touch with a gentle facial massage feels lovely. Some of our readers also like to alternate: Yarrow|Pom in the morning and a diluted Frankincense blend at night. For a deeper look at how these two behave side by side, our Frankincense vs Yarrow Pom Face Oil for Glowing Skin article covers more texture details.
Other botanical oils that pair well for a luminous look include Lavender for its soft, calming scent, Geranium for a balancing aromatic touch, and Roman Chamomile when you want a gentle, floral note. If you are new to layering, Immortelle is another botanical blend that works nicely as a targeted step before your face oil.
Remember that all citrus oils, such as Bergamot, Lemon, Wild Orange, Grapefruit, and Lime, are photosensitive. If you use them in a facial blend, avoid direct sun for about 12 hours after application. They are not part of the two oils we are comparing here, but they often show up in glowing-skin recipes, so the caution is worth saying plainly.
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FAQ
Can I mix Yarrow Pom and Frankincense together?
Yes, you can. A common approach is one drop of Frankincense blended into a small amount of Yarrow|Pom, but because Frankincense is an essential oil, keep the total dilution at about 1% for the face and patch test first.
Which oil is better for the appearance of fine lines?
Frankincense is the more traditional choice among botanical skincare enthusiasts for softening the look of fine lines, especially on drier or more mature-looking skin. In our experience, Yarrow|Pom is better for an overall bright, even-looking glow rather than targeted line softening.
Is Yarrow Pom already diluted or ready to use?
Yarrow|Pom is formulated as a face oil with cold-pressed pomegranate seed oil as its base, so it is typically applied directly in small amounts. Frankincense essential oil must always be diluted to about 1% in a carrier oil before use on the face.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.