“What’s myrrh, mommy?”
“It’s a resin with a smokey and balsamic, sometimes bitter, scent. It’s used as a fragrance or to heal wounds.”
“Whyyyyyyy?”
“Well, because it has anti-septic….”
“No, mummy! I mean, why would you give that to a baby?! Why not a teddy bear?”
“Er… cos he was a king, hun. You give luxury presents to a king.”
“Being a king sucks then. I’m pretty sure he would have preferred the teddy bear.”
“Me too, hun. Me too.”
Little me didn’t think the three Wise Men were very wise for bringing myrrh, frankincense and gold to baby Jesus. Yep, all pretty stuff, no doubt, but for a baby? I still can’t wrap my head around it. But myrrh was always the gift that intrigued me the most. We all know what gold and frankincense are. But, myrrh? Who the heck had heard of it before? And what are the benefits of myrrh in skincare, if any? Let’s find out:
What Is Myrrh?
Myrrh is a resin that comes from the Commiphora myrrha tree, which grows in the deserts of Africa and the Middle East. You’ll recognize it as soon as you see it. It’s that unique. It has white flowers, few leaves and a knotted, twisted shape that cries.
Well, not real tears obviously. But you have to cut the trunk to release the myrrh and then wait for it to dry. So, it looks like the tree is crying. Maybe it’s not happy we’re robbing it? The yellowish orange oil extracted from the resin sometimes ends up in your lotions and potions. Especially perfumes and other fragrances. But, it has other uses, too.
Back in the day, myrrh was actually worth more than gold. People in Egypt, Greece, and Rome traded it like crazy – it wasn’t just some random resin, it was sacred. Priests burned it in temples, doctors used it to clean up wounds, and embalmers even used it to preserve bodies. Basically, this sticky stuff was a big deal.
Skincare Benefits Of Myrrh
Turns out myrrh hasn’t been studied all that much. Wonder why that is? Anyway, here’s what I’ve uncovered so far:
1. Myrrh Has Antioxidant Properties
Ok, this study was done on rabbits, so it’s not the most reliable. But, it seems that myrrh is a powerful antioxidant that can fight oxidative damage (you know, the one that causes wrinkles). I think there’s some truth in here because pretty much all plants have antioxidants, so why should poor myrrh be the exception? But, I don’t think it’s the best antioxidant out there or that you absolutely need it. But, if you’re already using myrrh, it’s good to know it may help keep your skin looking young, right?
To put this into perspective: antioxidants like Vitamin C or green tea are household names because they’ve been tested in hundreds of studies. Myrrh hasn’t had the same spotlight, so while it likely helps, you wouldn’t replace your Vitamin C serum with a myrrh cream just yet. Think of it more like a backup singer in your skincare routine, not the lead performer.
Related: Common Antioxidants In Skincare Products: Which One Is Better?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
2. Myrrh Has Soothing Properties
Irritated skin? Myrrh can soothe it. It’s been used forever in balms and salves because it calms down angry skin – less redness, less itching, less of that sore, stretched feeling when your face or hands are wrecked. People still throw it into creams for cracked heels, dry hands, or winter lips. It doesn’t magically heal things, but it takes the sting out so you’re not walking around uncomfortable. I heard it’s particularly good to soothe chapped and cracked lips, but I haven’t tried that myself, yet.
3. Myrrh Has Antibacterial Properties
Myrrh has been used for centuries to heal wounds and prevent infections. Before antibiotics were invented, myrrh tinctures were a go-to remedy for cuts, gum disease, and even respiratory infections. And now science has confirmed what ancient wisdom already knew: the resin has antibacterial properties. You’ll still find myrrh listed as an ingredient in some natural toothpastes and mouthwashes today because it fights off oral bacteria and helps with bleeding gums.
Other Uses of Myrrh (Beyond Skincare)
Myrrh isn’t just for skin. People have been messing around with it for thousands of years, and it showed up in all sorts of random places:
- Old-school medicine: they’d throw it into teas or oils to calm sore throats, stomach problems, that kind of thing.
- Religious rituals: burned in temples all over Egypt, Greece, and the Middle East – think of it as the ancient version of a scented candle, but holy.
- Aromatherapy: some people still put it in diffusers today because they swear it chills them out and helps with stress.
- Teeth and gums: yep, you’ll even find it in herbal tooth powders and rinses because it fights bacteria in your mouth and helps with gum issues.
So if you thought it was just a dusty perfume ingredient from the Bible, nope. It’s been around forever, doing a bit of everything.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Myrrh sounds all ancient and mystical, but it’s still a strong resin, and your skin doesn’t always love strong things. If you go too heavy with it, especially undiluted, it can straight-up burn or leave you with a rash. That’s why it’s always mixed into something else – creams, balms, oils. Nobody’s out here rubbing raw myrrh on their face for fun.
Another thing: some people’s skin just reacts to resins in general. If you’re the kind of person who gets itchy from essential oils, patch test first before you smear a new balm all over your face.
And there’s a big one – pregnancy. Midwives and herbalists used to give myrrh in high doses to trigger contractions, so even now the advice is usually “better safe than sorry.” Pregnant women are told to steer clear of concentrated myrrh oils and tinctures. In regular skincare products though, where it’s just a small amount, it’s fine.
Bottom line: it’s safe if you use it how it’s meant to be used. But please don’t get DIY-happy in your kitchen making some “pure myrrh anti-aging serum.” That’s a fast track to angry, inflamed skin.
Common Questions About Myrrh In Skincare
Does myrrh really heal wounds?
It can help, yeah. Myrrh’s got antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make cuts sting less and lower the risk of infection. But let’s be real: modern antiseptics work faster and better. Myrrh is more of a “soothing extra” than a replacement for your first-aid kit.
Is myrrh better than frankincense?
Nope. They’re more like cousins that got famous for different reasons. Frankincense is the anti-aging darling – you’ll see it hyped for wrinkles and aromatherapy. Myrrh’s lane is more about calming skin and fighting off bacteria. Different strengths, not really competitors.
Can myrrh fade scars?
Not in the way people wish it did. You’ll hear stories of it making scars look calmer and less red, which makes sense because it reduces irritation. But does it smooth scars out or erase them? No chance. There’s no hard science backing that up.
The Bottom Line
Myrrh ain’t the most popular ingredients out there and I can’t see it becoming one soon. But, if you want to add a little festive cheer to your beauty routine, tis’ the season to indulge in it.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
