The Story of Frankincense Resin
Frankincense resin comes from the sap of Boswellia trees, native to the arid regions of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. When the bark is carefully cut, the tree releases a milky sap that hardens into golden “tears” of resin - a slow process that can take weeks to complete.
A resin worth it’s weight in gold
For thousands of years, frankincense was one of the most valuable commodities in the ancient world - traded along caravan routes stretching from southern Arabia to Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It was burned in temples, used in religious ceremonies across multiple ancient cultures, and was valuable enough to be exchanged alongside gold and other precious goods.
A tradition of care
Ancient Egyptian, Arabian, and other Mediterranean cultures used frankincense resin not only for its rich, warm scent, but as a part of traditional skincare and wellness practices - a use that has continued in various forms across generations and cultures.
Our extract, made with that same care
At Makes Scents Apothecary, we honour that long tradition. Our frankincense resin extract is slow-infused in small batches, using organic Ethiopian frankincense resin blended with certified organic jojoba oil and extra virgin olive oil - a simple, honest process designed to let the resin’s natural qualities shine through.
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From the Earth,
for the body
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That same care extends to everything we make - every product in our range is infused with our signature frankincense resin extract, alongside other thoughtfully chosen natural ingredients
Every ingredient is considered when being added to our products.
Grass-fed Beef Tallow
Our tallow starts as raw suet from grass-fed cattle, sourced from a small NSW supplier committed to regenerative farming. From there its a slow, hands-on process - melted, strained, and wet-rendered 3-4 times before a final dry render that brings out its natural purity. The result is a beautifully smooth, creamy tallow with a subtle, sweet aroma all its own. It is the foundation of everything in our balm and Bloom deodorant range.
Unrefined Beeswax
Our beeswax comes from a local beekeeper in Dunoon, whose bees spend their days pollinating nearby macadamia farms. It’s lightly filtered rather than fully refined so you may notice small natual variations - a sign of just how unprocessed it really is. Rich, dark, and full of character, it brings a natural and protective quality to our balms and Bloom deodorants.
Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade, organic diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring mineral powder, made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. In our Bloom deodorants, it helps absorb moisture, contributing to that all-day fresh feeling. In Wildshield, it is included for its natural, physical properties - traditionally used in outdoor and pest-deterrent products.
Organic Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax, closely resembling the skin’s own natural sebum. This unique structure allows it to absorb easily without feeling greasy, making it an ideal carrier for our frankincense resin extract alongside Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
EVOO is the constant thread running through everything we make. Our resin extract is first pressed with a blend of jojoba and olive oil. From there we press a second time using olive oil alone, creating the base used across our balms, Bloom deodorants, and Wildshield. This careful, layered process reflects our commitment to keeping things simple, honest and true to their source.
Essential Oils
We use only pure, high-quality and therapeutic-grade essential oils to scent our balms and Bloom deodorants. Each is chosen for its gentle effectiveness and beautiful aroma. In Wildshield, Virginian Cedarwood takes centre stage for its natural insect-repelling properties, complemented by citronella and other supportive oils. All are used in safe, skin-friendly dilutions.