Is Frankincense Safe in Pregnancy? A Gentle Guide

You've probably seen frankincense pop up everywhere lately. On skincare labels, in little amber bottles at the health shop, in a friend's "you have to try this" text message. And now that you're pregnant, you're doing what so many of us do. You're pausing before you use anything, wondering, "Is this actually okay for the baby?"

If that's you, take a breath. You're not being overly cautious. You're being a mum. And this is exactly the kind of question worth slowing down for.

Let's talk it through, the way we would over a cup of tea.

First, what is frankincense, really?

Frankincense is an essential oil steam-distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It has been used for thousands of years, and these days you'll find it in everything from face serums to diffuser blends. People reach for it because it has a warm, grounding, slightly woody scent, and because it's often talked about for its calming and skin-loving qualities.

It's lovely. But essential oils are also concentrated and powerful, and pregnancy is a season where "powerful" deserves a second look.

So, is frankincense safe during pregnancy?

Here's the honest answer: it depends on how and when you use it, and the general guidance is to be cautious.

Most aromatherapy sources suggest avoiding frankincense in the first trimester, and only considering it later in pregnancy, well diluted, and ideally with the okay from a health professional. When it is used, it's used in tiny amounts, always diluted in a carrier oil, and never taken internally.

The reason for the caution isn't to scare you. It's simply that essential oils cross the skin and the research on many of them in pregnancy is thin. So the sensible approach, the one most midwives and aromatherapists land on, is "less is more, and check first."

If you love the idea of frankincense, the best possible move is a quick chat with your midwife or GP before you use it. They know you and your pregnancy, and no blog post can replace that.

What mums usually hope frankincense will do

When mums ask me about frankincense, they're usually hoping for one of two things.

The first is skin support. Pregnancy skin can be its own adventure. Dryness, sensitivity, the odd hormonal breakout, that tight itchy feeling as your belly grows. Frankincense has a reputation for being soothing and is often talked about for skin comfort.

The second is calm. That grounding scent can feel like a deep exhale at the end of a long day, and when you're carrying the mental load of growing a human, a moment of calm is not a luxury. It's care.

Both of those needs are completely valid. The good news is you don't have to wrestle with essential oil safety charts to meet them.

A simpler option for your changing skin

If what you're really after is comfortable, cared-for skin, you don't necessarily need essential oils at all. Sometimes the gentlest thing is a clean blend of nourishing plant oils, with nothing you have to second-guess.

That's exactly why we made RESTORE the way we did. It's a blend of certified organic apricot kernel, avocado, camellia, argan and rosehip oils. There's no frankincense and no essential oils in it, which means it's safe to use from your very first trimester, no waiting and no wondering.

Massaged into your belly, hips and anywhere that feels dry or stretched, it can support skin elasticity and help that tight, itchy feeling settle. It's the same nourishing ritual, without the essential oil homework.

If you do want to use frankincense, do it gently

Maybe you've already spoken to your midwife and you're keen to bring frankincense in. Lovely. Here's how to keep it gentle and low-fuss.

1. Check with your midwife or GP first. This is the non-negotiable one. Every pregnancy is different, and they can give you advice that actually fits you.
2. Skip the first trimester. General guidance is to avoid frankincense in those early weeks and only consider it later on, if at all.
3. Always dilute. Essential oils should never go straight onto your skin. A drop or two blended into a carrier oil is plenty.
4. Never take it internally. Frankincense is for topical use or the diffuser, not for swallowing.
5. Let the diffuser do the work. If it's the calming scent you're after, a well-ventilated room with a diffuser is often the simplest and gentlest way to enjoy it.
6. Notice how you feel. If a scent makes your nausea worse or gives you a headache, that's your body talking. Trust it and stop.

The real takeaway

You don't have to earn a diploma in aromatherapy to look after yourself well right now. Frankincense can be a beautiful oil, and used carefully and later in pregnancy it may have a place for some mums. But if you're feeling unsure, that's okay. Unsure is a perfectly good reason to keep things simple.

Sometimes the most caring choice is the uncomplicated one. A clean, pregnancy-safe oil. A quiet moment. A body you're learning to be gentle with.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frankincense in the first trimester?
General aromatherapy guidance suggests avoiding it in the first trimester. If you're keen to use it later on, have a chat with your midwife or GP first so you're getting advice that fits your pregnancy.

Is frankincense good for pregnancy skin?
It's often talked about as soothing for the skin, but it needs to be well diluted and used with care. If your main goal is comfortable, nourished skin, a simple carrier oil blend with no essential oils, like RESTORE, can support your changing skin without the guesswork.

Does RESTORE contain frankincense?
No. RESTORE is a blend of certified organic apricot kernel, avocado, camellia, argan and rosehip oils, with no essential oils at all. That's what makes it safe to use from trimester one.

Is it safe to smell frankincense in a diffuser while pregnant?
Diffusing is generally considered gentler than applying oils to the skin, but keep the room well ventilated, keep sessions short, and stop if the scent bothers you. As always, your midwife is the best person to check with.

What can I use instead of frankincense for stretch marks and itchy skin?
A nourishing, pregnancy-safe oil massaged in daily can help support skin elasticity and ease that tight, itchy feeling as your belly grows. RESTORE was made for exactly this, and it's safe from your first trimester.

Made with love for mums in Australia. Little Seedling Essence, Pregnancy Safe Skincare, Made in Byron Bay.