Resinous & Balsamic Essential Oils: A Practical Guide to Myrrh, Frankincense, Benzoin & Copaiba
The Azlok Resinous & Balsamic Essential Oils Kit is a set of four warm, grounding oils drawn from tree resins and balsams: Myrrh, Frankincense, Benzoin Siam and Copaiba Balsam. You get 10 ml of each (4 × 10 ml), and they are meant for aromatherapy, skincare and hair care blends, and homemade candles and soaps. They are for external and diffused use only, never for swallowing.
If you have mostly worked with bright citrus or floral oils, resinous oils will feel different. They are deeper, sweeter and slower to fade, which makes them useful as base notes that hold a blend together.
What each oil in the kit brings
- Myrrh — earthy, slightly bitter and warm. Long used in skincare blends and in grounding, meditative diffuser mixes.
- Frankincense — resinous and softly citrus-woody. A classic for calming aromatherapy and mature-skin facial oils.
- Benzoin Siam — thick and vanilla-sweet, almost like liquid amber. It rounds off sharp blends and acts as a natural fixative in perfumes and soaps.
- Copaiba Balsam — mild, woody and clean. Gentle on skin and often used to soothe and to anchor lighter oils.
Common ways to use them
Aromatherapy and diffusing
Add 3-6 drops in total to a diffuser filled with water. Frankincense and Myrrh together make a settling, quiet blend for evenings; a drop of Benzoin adds warm sweetness. Copaiba pairs nicely with citrus if you want something lighter.
Skincare and hair care
These are concentrated oils, so always dilute in a carrier such as jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil before applying to skin. A safe everyday guideline is 1-2%, roughly 6-12 drops of essential oil per 30 ml of carrier oil. Frankincense and Myrrh are popular in facial and body oils; Copaiba is valued for its gentleness. For hair, a few drops in a carrier oil scalp massage works well.
Candles and soap making
Benzoin and Frankincense are excellent in candle and soap recipes because they linger and help fix lighter fragrances. Follow your wax or soap base instructions for fragrance load, and test a small batch first, as resinous oils can be thick and slow to disperse.
Blending tips
- Treat these as base notes. Build a blend with a bright top note (like lemon or bergamot), a middle note (like lavender), and finish with a resin.
- Benzoin Siam is naturally viscous. Warming the bottle gently in your hands makes it pour more easily.
- Start with fewer drops than you think you need. Resins are strong and their scent grows as it settles.
Safety notes
- Do not ingest. These oils are for aromatic and topical use in dilution only.
- Always patch-test a diluted blend on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use.
- Keep away from children and pets. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a medical condition, check with a qualified practitioner first.
- Avoid contact with eyes. Diffuse in a ventilated room and take breaks.
- These are wellness and cosmetic ingredients, not medicines, and are not a substitute for medical treatment.
Buying and storage
Store the bottles upright in a cool, dark place, tightly capped and away from direct sunlight. Kept this way, resinous oils generally last well because thicker resins tend to age slowly. The Azlok kit's 10 ml sizes are a sensible way to try all four before committing to larger bottles, and buying them together usually works out cheaper than one at a time. Label any blends you make with the date and dilution.
FAQ
Can I put these oils directly on my skin?
No. Always dilute in a carrier oil, around 1-2% for daily use, and patch-test first. Undiluted essential oils can irritate the skin.
Which oil is best for relaxing in the evening?
Frankincense and Myrrh are the usual choices for a calm, grounded atmosphere. Add a drop of Benzoin for a sweeter, warmer note.
Why is the Benzoin so thick?
Benzoin is a balsam and is naturally viscous. Warm the bottle in your hands before use, and it will pour and blend more easily.
Are these oils suitable for candles and soap?
Yes. Benzoin and Frankincense in particular act as fixatives and help scents last. Follow your base's recommended fragrance load and test a small batch first.
How long will the kit last once opened?
Stored cool, dark and tightly capped, these resinous oils generally keep well for a couple of years. Discard any oil that smells off or changes noticeably.