Frankincense Essential Oil + DMSO Uses and Benefits

Some days, your body whispers. Other days, it grabs a microphone and announces, “We are not doing stairs today.” If everyday discomfort has started changing how you move, sleep, work, or enjoy the people you love, frankincense and DMSO may be a combination worth exploring.

Frankincense essential oil has been valued for centuries for its aromatic and botanical properties. DMSO brings something different to the table: an unusual ability to penetrate the skin and influence how certain other compounds are absorbed.

Together, they offer an interesting approach to targeted topical comfort that goes beyond simply smelling nice.

And at Herbal Mana, there's a personal reason we've chosen to pair them.

What We'll Cover

• Why Herbal Mana Combines Frankincense and DMSO
• What Is Frankincense Essential Oil?
• What Is DMSO?
• Why Do Frankincense and DMSO Work Well Together?
• Four Benefits of Frankincense and DMSO
• How to Use Frankincense and DMSO
• Why Choose a Finished Frankincense DMSO Gel?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Herbal Mana Combines Frankincense and DMSO

Todd Bailey, co-founder of Herbal Mana, knows a thing or two about living with pain.

His first major injury happened when he was just 15 years old. Since then, 20 orthopedic surgeries and decades of recovery have taught him that supporting everyday comfort often takes more than one approach.

That experience led him to explore DMSO and eventually raised an interesting question:

What happens when you combine DMSO with an ingredient like frankincense essential oil?

As Todd explains in the video below, we don't combine these ingredients simply because frankincense sounds appealing on a label.

We combine them because each brings something different to the formula.

Watch: Why Combine Frankincense and DMSO?

In this episode, Todd explains what makes DMSO different from ordinary topical ingredients, explores the science behind frankincense, shares real customer experiences, and discusses why this combination has become an important part of Herbal Mana's formulas.

He also shares practical application tips and explains what to expect when using a DMSO topical.

Prefer to read? Let's get into it.

What Is Frankincense Essential Oil?

Frankincense essential oil comes from the resin of Boswellia trees, which have been valued for thousands of years in traditional wellness and body-care practices.

Its warm, earthy aroma is often associated with relaxation, massage, and skin care. But there's more to frankincense than just a pleasant scent.

Frankincense essential oil contains naturally occurring compounds such as alpha-pinene and limonene. Researchers have investigated these botanical compounds for potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

For example, a 2023 laboratory study of Boswellia essential oil reported promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory findings.

Researchers have also studied Boswellia resin extracts for their potential effects on joint discomfort and mobility. A 2020 systematic review reported encouraging findings, although the evidence had limitations.

One important distinction: Boswellia resin extracts and frankincense essential oil have different chemical compositions. Research involving boswellic acids in resin extracts doesn't automatically establish the same benefits for essential oil.

Still, frankincense has attracted scientific interest for reasons that go well beyond its aroma.

Think of it as the calm friend in the group text—with a botanical background that's a little more interesting than you might expect.

What Is DMSO?

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a sulfur-containing compound known for its unusual ability to penetrate the skin and influence how certain other ingredients are absorbed.

That makes it an interesting partner for frankincense essential oil in topical formulations.

Curious about the science behind DMSO? Check out our complete guide to DMSO.

Why Do Frankincense and DMSO Work Well Together?

Frankincense and DMSO complement each other by combining the botanical properties of frankincense essential oil with DMSO's distinctive skin-penetrating abilities.

Here's what each brings to the formula:

• Frankincense Essential Oil: Contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds that have attracted scientific attention for their potential biological activity. It's also traditionally used in massage and body-care routines for its warm, grounding aroma.
• DMSO: Is a well-studied skin-penetration enhancer that can pass through the skin barrier and influence the absorption of certain other substances.

Think of DMSO as an ingredient that helps open the door through the skin barrier.

Frankincense brings its own botanical compounds to the partnership.

And that's where things get interesting.

DMSO has been investigated as a delivery ingredient, while frankincense essential oil contains compounds that researchers are studying for their potential benefits.

That doesn't mean DMSO automatically carries every frankincense compound directly into your joints or muscles. Exactly how ingredients absorb depends on the finished formula, and clinical research on this specific combination is limited.

But there's a meaningful reason to explore pairing them beyond simply making a topical that smells pleasant.

The bottom line: It's about combining complementary properties in one targeted comfort routine.

No science fair. No mystery goo. Just a practical approach to pairing two interesting ingredients.

Four Benefits of Frankincense and DMSO

The appeal of this combination isn't just what happens in the laboratory.

It's how a topical routine can fit into everyday life.

Here are four reasons people are interested in combining frankincense essential oil and DMSO.

1. Joint and Muscle Comfort Support

Maybe your knees complain after gardening. Your hands feel overworked after a long day. Or your shoulders are reminding you about yesterday's ambitious to-do list.

We've all had moments when our joints start negotiating like union representatives.

Frankincense and DMSO are commonly paired in topical formulas designed to support targeted joint and muscle comfort.

DMSO has been investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory activity as well as its skin-penetrating properties. Frankincense essential oil also contains botanical compounds being explored for their biological activity.

While research doesn't establish that every finished frankincense DMSO topical will produce the same results, these properties help explain the interest in this combination.

For hardworking hands, knees, shoulders, and muscles, a targeted topical may be one more useful tool in your comfort toolbox.

2. A Calming Daily Routine

Pain and stress often travel together.

When your body feels uncomfortable, it can be harder to relax, concentrate, or enjoy the little things that make your day worthwhile.

Frankincense essential oil brings its warm, grounding aroma to the application experience.

Whether you're winding down after a busy afternoon or taking a few quiet minutes before bed, a topical routine can become an opportunity to slow down and give your body some attention.

Sometimes your body needs more than just support.

It needs a moment to exhale.

3. Skin-Friendly Self-Care

Frankincense essential oil has a long history in traditional massage and body-care practices.

But the experience of a finished topical depends on the entire formula—not just its essential oils.

That's why Herbal Mana's Frankincense DMSO Gel with Hyaluronic Acid also includes aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture, while aloe vera is widely used for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.

Together, these ingredients help support the skin-care side of the application experience.

It's a practical way to combine targeted topical comfort with ingredients selected to complement your skin.

4. Everyday Convenience and Consistency

A topical routine works best when you actually use it.

And something that's messy, complicated, or requires measuring three different ingredients every time?

Well, that's a routine that's probably headed for the back of the bathroom cabinet.

A ready-made frankincense DMSO gel eliminates the need to mix separate ingredients yourself.

No measuring. No messy liquid bottles. No kitchen-counter chemistry experiments.

Just a convenient option you can reach for after gardening, exercise, errands, or a long day on your feet.

Consistency also makes it easier to evaluate how a product fits into your personal routine, although results vary and no topical can promise to resolve long-standing joint problems.

Sometimes the goal isn't perfection. It's being able to keep saying yes to life.

Looking for a simple way to try both ingredients? Herbal Mana's Frankincense DMSO Gel combines them with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid in one ready-to-use formula.

How to Use Frankincense and DMSO

The best way to use a finished Frankincense DMSO Gel is to start with clean, dry skin, apply a small amount, and follow the product's application directions.

Here are a few ways people incorporate this combination into their routines:

• For joint and muscle support: Apply to hardworking areas that feel tired, stiff, or overworked after daily activity.
• For skin-friendly self-care: Incorporate into a body-care routine when you want a targeted topical with moisture-supporting ingredients.
• For a calming routine: Use during your evening wind-down and enjoy the grounding aroma of frankincense.

Simple Application Tips

1. Start with clean, dry skin. Wash away lotions, perfumes, body oils, and other residues.
2. Patch test first. Try a small amount on a limited area to see how your skin responds.
3. Apply a thin layer. More isn't necessarily better. You don't need to frost yourself like a cupcake.
4. Let it absorb. Avoid immediately covering the area or layering other topical products.
5. Wash your hands afterward, unless your hands are the intended application area.

Because DMSO can influence how certain substances pass through the skin, keeping the application area clean matters.

Avoid using it over broken skin, and don't combine it with other topical products unless their compatibility has been established.

Want more detailed instructions? Read our How to Apply DMSO Topically guide.

Why Choose a Finished Frankincense DMSO Gel?

If you've been curious about combining frankincense and DMSO but aren't interested in mixing ingredients yourself, a finished topical makes the process considerably easier.

That's exactly why we created Herbal Mana Frankincense DMSO Gel with Hyaluronic Acid.

Our 4 oz gel combines:

• 99.995% Pharmaceutical-Grade DMSO: A high-purity starting ingredient selected for its distinctive skin-penetrating properties.
• Frankincense Essential Oil: A blend of Boswellia carterii, frereana, and sacra essential oils containing naturally occurring aromatic botanical compounds.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Helps support skin hydration by attracting and retaining moisture.
• Organic Aloe Vera: Included for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning qualities.
• Hydrated Silica: Helps create the gel's convenient, spreadable consistency.

The result is a ready-to-use topical designed for targeted application without requiring separate bottles or homemade mixing.

And unlike plain liquid DMSO, the gel format gives you more control over where and how much product you apply.

What Do Customers Think?

When your hands are part of how you earn a living, everyday discomfort isn't just inconvenient.

It can affect your ability to keep doing work you love.

That's something Herbal Mana customer Amy D., a medical massage therapist approaching 70, understands firsthand.

After using DMSO in liquid form, Amy appreciated finding the combination in a convenient gel.

As she shared:

“This product is much easier to apply than liquid that I previously used. Smells much better and is a lifesaver for me.” — Amy D.

Amy also shared that frankincense DMSO has been an important part of her personal joint comfort routine.

And that's what makes customer experiences like hers meaningful to Todd.

Because while the science is fascinating, hearing from people who want to keep working, enjoying their hobbies, or playing with their grandchildren is what makes this personal.

That's what Hurt Less – Live More is all about.

Of course, everyone's experience is different, and results vary.

What Should Frankincense DMSO Gel Feel Like?

One thing Todd emphasizes in the video is that Frankincense DMSO Gel can feel a little more intense than some of our cream-based products.

That's worth knowing, especially if you're trying DMSO for the first time.

Some people experience temporary warmth, tingling, or mild itching during application. DMSO can also sometimes produce a distinctive garlic-like odor.

These sensations don't necessarily indicate a product problem, but they're a good reason to start small and pay attention to how your skin responds.

If irritation becomes uncomfortable or persists, stop using the product and rinse the area.

If you prefer a different application experience, a cream-based formula such as Royal Warrior may be worth exploring.

The right routine is one that works comfortably for you.

Ready to Try Frankincense and DMSO Together?

Maybe you're looking for something to support your hardworking hands after a busy day.

Maybe your knees could use a little backup after an afternoon in the garden.

Or maybe you're simply tired of complicated wellness routines and want a natural topical option that's easy to incorporate into everyday life.

Frankincense DMSO Gel with Hyaluronic Acid brings together pharmaceutical-grade DMSO, frankincense essential oil, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid in one convenient formula.

It's designed for people who want the distinctive properties of DMSO alongside the botanical qualities of frankincense—without having to measure or mix ingredients themselves.

No complicated routines. No messy liquid bottles. Just a ready-to-use topical that fits into real life.

Because the goal isn't to spend more time thinking about discomfort.

It's to spend more time doing the things you love.

Hurt Less – Live More.

Frequently Asked Questions

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare professional before use if pregnant, nursing, under medical care, or taking medications.