murphyBursera graveolens (Palo Santo) oil
AKA: Incense tree, Palo santo oil
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Clean
OriginNative to Peru, Ecuador, South America. Bursera graveolens is a tropical tree from the Burseraceae family native to South America, particularly Peru and Ecuador. The essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of the aromatic heartwood.
Bursera graveolens (palo santo) oil is a cosmetic ingredient. Rated low hazard by EWG.
Family
Burseraceae (Frankincense family)
Plant Part
Wood
Lifeform
Shrub or tree
Climate
Seasonally dry tropical
Form
Oil
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Anti-Inflammatory
Antioxidant
Wound Healing
Provides scent
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR