Copaiba vs Frankincense (Carterii)

Copaiba and Frankincense (Carterii) are both resinous essential oils. Copaiba carries a base note (warm, woody), while Frankincense (Carterii) sits as a base note (resinous, citrus-wood). For topical use, keep Copaiba at or below 3% and Frankincense (Carterii) at 10%.

AttributeCopaibaFrankincense (Carterii)
Latin nameCopaifera officinalisBoswellia carterii
Aroma familyResinousResinous
Perfumery noteBaseBase
Aromawarm, woody, balsamic, subtleresinous, citrus-wood
Chemical familySesquiterpeneMonoterpene
Max topical dilution3%10%
Max facial dilution1%5%
PregnancyGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
ChildrenGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
PetsGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
ExtractionSteam distillationSteam distillation

Scale amounts to any container with the dilution calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Copaiba and Frankincense (Carterii)?

Copaiba and Frankincense (Carterii) are both resinous essential oils. Copaiba carries a base note (warm, woody), while Frankincense (Carterii) sits as a base note (resinous, citrus-wood). For topical use, keep Copaiba at or below 3% and Frankincense (Carterii) at 10%.

Can you blend Copaiba and Frankincense (Carterii) together?

Yes — Copaiba and Frankincense (Carterii) are commonly paired and complement each other in blends.

For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.