Six ways to wear spiritual incense scents
Incense, a word that conjures images of swirling smoke and sacred spaces, is far more than a fleeting trend in the world of fragrance. Its story is as ancient as civilisation itself, woven through the rituals, ceremonies, and daily life of cultures across the globe. The very word ‘perfume’ finds its roots in the Latin ‘per fumum’ — meaning ‘through smoke’ — a nod to the earliest days when scent was experienced not on skin, but in the air, rising in fragrant clouds from burning resins and woods.
When incense is listed as a note in a fine fragrance, it often refers to frankincense — also known as olibanum — a resin harvested from the Boswellia tree, native to regions such as Oman, Yemen, and Ethiopia. Yet incense in perfumery is a chameleon, capable of evoking woody depths, floral nuances, spicy warmth, or resinous richness, depending on the blend. Other resins like storax, balsams of Peru or Tolu, and copaiba, sometimes mingled with spices, herbs, or flowers, create a tapestry of scent that is both ancient and endlessly adaptable.
The history of incense stretches back over six millennia, with its origins entwined with the dawn of the great civilisations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. In those distant times, incense was not merely an aromatic indulgence but a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Precious gums and resins were burned in temples to communicate with the gods, to purify spaces, and to mark the most significant moments of life and death. Archaeological discoveries in Egypt reveal relics of incense burning from thousands of years ago, and during the Roman Empire, vast quantities of frankincense travelled along the Incense Road from Arabia to the heart of Rome.
Incense has always been more than a tool of worship. It was a fumigant, believed to cleanse the air and ward off disease, and a source of comfort and pleasure in the home. Its role in religious rites endures to this day, with the scent of frankincense still curling through the air in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox ceremonies, evoking a sense of reverence, nostalgia, or even sensuality, depending on one’s own memories and associations.
Frankincense itself is steeped in myth and mystery. The resin is collected by making incisions in the bark of the Boswellia tree, from which the milky sap oozes and hardens into golden tears. Legends abound, such as the tale of a jinn’s daughter transformed into a tree, her sorrow crystallised in the resin’s bittersweet aroma — a scent that has comforted, healed, and inspired for generations.
In the world of fine fragrance, incense brings a richness and complexity that is both grounding and uplifting. Once reserved for kings and queens, and used in the most sacred of rituals, its presence in modern perfumery adds a touch of the exotic, a sense of mystery, and a connection to the deep well of human history. The molecular composition of frankincense is as complex as its story, with boswellic acids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes lending their distinctive character to every drop.
The allure of an incense note used within a composition lies in its ability to transcend time and place, to conjure the sacred and the sensual, the ancient and the modern. Whether experienced in a fine fragrance or as a trail of smoke curling skywards, incense continues to captivate, comfort, and inspire — a testament to its enduring power and universal appeal…
Cosmoss Sacred Mist by Kate Moss Eau de Parfum (+ FREE Cosmoss Incense Sticks!)
What began as an award-winning eau de parfum, is now available as a scent to burn (and worship this way, too!) – opening with uplifting notes of sweet bergamot and orange flower, creating an immediate sense of brightness and optimism. The heart reveals a garden-inspired bouquet of jasmine, tuberose and geranium – flowers that Kate herself cultivated during lockdown when she discovered a newfound love for gardening and flower-pressing. The base notes of oak moss, cedarwood and tonka bean provide a grounding effect that lingers beautifully on the skin.
The 100ml bottle (£125) is particularly versatile (as the scent can also be used as a personal space mist as well as on your skin), while the 30ml (£68) offers a more accessible entry point into Kate’s world of wellness. But why stop there? As we mentioned, the incense is stunning too, and as a special treat, when you buy either size fragrance from us, they currently come with FREE Cosmoss Incense Sticks – extending the sensory experience with the same beautiful blend of oak moss, tuberose and bergamot in a different (and so on-trend) format.
Atkinsons 1799 Shine Despite Everything
Shine Despite Everything is a fragrance that radiates audacity and theatricality, inspired by the legendary Sarah Bernhardt. The composition is structured around imaginative accords—Flamboyant, Avant-gardist, and Charismatic—which together evoke an aura of glamour and fearless creativity. Incense weaves through the heart of this scent, lending a mysterious, smoky depth that perfectly offsets the luscious sweetness of amber, caramel, and vanilla. The inclusion of Akigalawood adds a spicy, woody nuance, but it is the incense that truly elevates the fragrance, imparting an enigmatic sophistication and a lingering sense of drama to every encounter. This is a scent that ensures its wearer shines—boldly and unapologetically—no matter the setting.
£230 for 100ml parfum intense atkinsons1799.com
Dior Collection Privé Bois Talisman
Bois Talisman surprises from the very first encounter, enveloping the senses not with an expected gust of woods, but with a comforting, almost tactile warmth. Vanilla forms a creamy, soft cocoon, while cedarwood provides a gentle structure. The true intrigue, however, lies in the subtle thread of incense that meanders through the composition. This note introduces a whisper of smoky mystery, transforming the fragrance into something far more profound than a simple gourmand or woody scent. The incense acts as a bridge between the sugar-dusted sweetness and the aromatic woods, lending an air of quiet elegance and spiritual solace. Altogether, Bois Talisman is a reassuring embrace, both familiar and beguiling.
£168 for 50 ml eau de parfum dior.com
edeniste Oud Ghazal
Oud Ghazal marks a significant collaboration between founder Audrey Semeraro and perfumer Claire Liegent, resulting in a scent that is both contemporary and steeped in tradition. Inspired by the evocative ritual of burning bakhoor in the Middle East, incense here is not merely an accent but the very soul of the fragrance. It mingles with smoky oudh, spicy cardamom, and earthy vetiver, while labdanum resin and cedarwood add further layers of complexity. A luscious cherry note drizzles through, providing a syrupy counterpoint to the smoky haze. The incense note imbues Oud Ghazal with a sense of ceremony and opulence, conjuring visions of ancient rituals and modern luxury alike. This is a fragrance that lingers, both in the air and in memory.
£240 for 100 ml eau de parfum in our Shop
Glossier You Doux
Glossier You Doux is the epitome of understated elegance, a fragrance designed to melt into the skin and amplify one’s natural scent. The composition is an intimate blend of violet, Palo Santo wood, ambrette, Ambroxan, and, crucially, a duet of frankincense and myrrh. Incense, in the form of frankincense, brings a gentle, meditative quality to the fragrance, enhancing its soothing, cocooning effect. Rather than dominating, the incense note weaves delicately through the composition, adding a subtle, sacred warmth that grounds the powdery softness of violet and the creamy woods. The result is a scent that feels personal, quietly transformative, and endlessly comforting.
£62 for 50 ml eau de parfum uk.glossier.com
VYRAO Mamajuju
Mamajuju is a fragrance conceived as a tonic for the soul, promising grounding and emotional equilibrium. Australian sandalwood forms the earthy foundation, while a constellation of spices—cardamom, pink pepper, nutmeg, cumin, and saffron—adds vibrancy and warmth. The presence of frankincense is pivotal, imparting a resinous, smoky serenity that anchors the composition. Wet red clay and a dash of rum absolute contribute further depth, but it is the incense that truly centres Mamajuju, infusing it with a sense of ritualistic calm and ancient wisdom. This is not merely a scent, but an olfactory elixir for those seeking balance and inner peace.
£165 for 50 ml eau de parfum vyrao.com
Written by Suzy Nightingale