Frankincense Oil (CAS 8016-36-2) — Balsamic Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Frankincense Oil
CAS 8016-36-2
What Is Frankincense Oil?
Frankincense oil is a fragrant resin extracted from Boswellia trees, traditionally used in incense and perfumery. People encounter it in religious ceremonies, aromatherapy, and luxury fragrances. This ancient ingredient matters because it carries deep cultural significance while offering a complex, resinous scent profile that modern perfumers prize for its meditative and grounding qualities.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Frankincense Oil Smell Like?
Frankincense oil unfolds with a bright, citrus-tinged top note reminiscent of lemon peel and pine needles. Within minutes, it deepens into a sacred heart of warm church incense – woody, slightly peppery, with hints of honeyed amber. The dry-down is profoundly resinous, leaving a meditative trail of dry cedar and sweet balsam that lingers for hours. Like sunlight through stained glass, it balances luminosity with solemn depth.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Uses Somalian frankincense for its radiant citrus-resin duality, creating an airy yet profound incense that floats above ambergris.
Features frankincense in its purest liturgical form – the oil’s camphoraceous edge mimics cold stone cathedrals.
Omani frankincense provides the regal backbone to this opulent composition, its honeyed facets complementing blackberry and myrrh.
Japanese frankincense (Boswellia carterii) delivers a minimalist, Zen-like interpretation with exceptional clarity and pine-like freshness.
Ethiopian frankincense merges with amber to create the illusion of sun-baked resins evaporating in dry desert air.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Frankincense oil is a complex mixture of terpenes, with α-pinene (30-60%) and limonene (5-15%) as major constituents. The resin contains boswellic acids, which are pentacyclic triterpenes unique to Boswellia species. Steam distillation yields the essential oil, while CO2 extraction preserves more delicate components. Chemotypes vary by region: Somalian oils are richer in octyl acetate (fruity notes), while Omani varieties contain higher levels of incensole acetate (psychoactive properties). The oil’s optical rotation typically ranges between +15° to +30°, indicating chirality influences its scent profile.
Chemical Composition
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 160-200 °C (varies by constituents) |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.862-0.889 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.465-1.482 (20°C) |
| Flash Point | 49 °C |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| α-Pinene | 80-56-8 | 136.23 | 155 °C | 3.1 | 2.6 mmHg |
| Limonene | 138-86-3 | 136.23 | 176 °C | 4.2 | 1.5 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds sacred/resinous character |
| Home Fragrance | 2-4% | Up to 8% | Creates meditative atmospheres |
| Aromatherapy | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Dilution recommended for skin contact |
Classic Accords
+ Bergamot + Lavender = Spiritual Cologne
+ Vanilla + Labdanum = Resinous Gourmand
Tip: Add a touch of citrus top notes (bergamot, lemon) to lift frankincense’s natural brightness and prevent heaviness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Solvent-extracted resinoid with deeper, sweeter profile; better for oriental bases where more tenacity is needed.
Lighter, more citrus-forward resinous note when a less solemn incense effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 51st Amendment. Classified as non-sensitizing at typical use levels.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains limonene (≥0.1%) – must be declared if present above 0.01% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
H317 May cause allergic skin reaction
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use up to 3.9% in fine fragrances (2015 evaluation).
Sustainability
Frankincense faces sustainability challenges due to over-tapping. Ethical suppliers use ‘tapping rotation’ systems allowing trees 2-3 years recovery between harvests. CO2 extraction (yield 8-12%) is more sustainable than steam distillation (yield 3-5%). Some perfumers now use reconstructed frankincense accords from isolated terpenes to reduce ecological impact.
Explore Frankincense Oil
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Mertens et al. (2009). Frankincense revisited. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. DOI:10.1002/ffj.1928
- Tisserand & Young (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Elsevier.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 8016-36-2Odor & Flavor
| The oil, obtained by steam distillation of the trees B. carterii Birdw. and other Boswellia species, has a balsamic, slightly citrine odor.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
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