Frankincense Oil, 125 ml

A frankincense oil sold under the El Nile Horas name. The front of the box calls it a natural oil for skin, prints "SPF 30+" next to those words, and gives the name, frankincense, and the size, 125 ml. It comes in a black box lettered in gold, with the brand's triangle, a small plant sprig and the Eye of Horus at the top and a drawing of orange frankincense resin and a yellow flower with green leaves above the name. Frankincense is a dried tree resin, not an oil seed, so a frankincense oil is a base oil that carries the frankincense, and the front of the box does not say which base oil.

What it is for: the front of the box says only that it is for skin, so these are the usual ways frankincense oil is used. It is a body and massage oil for dry skin; it softens dry hands, elbows and heels; and it softens dry cuticles and the skin around the nails. Frankincense is known for its warm, resinous scent. It is a cosmetic: it works on how skin looks and feels.

Use a little at a time. After a shower or for a massage, warm a few drops between your palms and smooth them over dry skin on the arms, legs or shoulders until they sink in. For dry hands, elbows and heels, rub in one or two drops in the evening; on the heels, put on cotton socks afterwards. For the nails, rub one drop into the cuticles of each hand.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed box with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only: do not swallow it. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely. The front of the box does not name the base oil, so if you have a nut allergy, read the label on the bottle before you use it. About the "SPF 30+" on the box: the box does not say how that figure was tested, and we cannot confirm it, so do not use this oil in place of a sunscreen; in the sun, use a tested sunscreen. Keep it out of the eyes and away from small children, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a doctor first.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 125 ml it is over the 100 ml cabin limit, so it cannot fly in hand luggage: pack it in checked baggage, with the cap screwed down tight and the bottle sealed in a zip bag.

Who it suits: anyone with dry skin, dry hands and heels or dry cuticles who wants one simple oil for them, and anyone who likes the scent of frankincense and is looking for a small, useful present from Egypt that packs easily. Skip it if you dislike the feel of oil on your skin or scented oils bother you.