Best Incense Perfumum by Balenciaga Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Incense Perfumum by Balenciaga is an oriental fragrance defined by the warm resinous glow of frankincense, the rich balsamic depth of Spanish labdanum, and the dry woody clarity of cedarwood. Its composition balances the incense’s smoky and spiritual character with a grounded, earthy base. Those drawn to this scent will appreciate perfumes that highlight frankincense and cedarwood while exploring varying intensities of incense and balsamic warmth.
Parfum 1 by Fugazzi £205.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- davana
- frankincense
- incense
- mandarin
- pink pepper
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
Parfum 1 is where Fugazzi began, inspired by founder Bram Niessink’s trip to Egypt and the discovery of ancient perfume oils. Parfum 1 is a bold blend of bright and dark fruits, made mysterious by patchouli and cedarwood. The fresh top notes of citrus and blackcurrant are insinuating, gracefully riding a woody wave of sandalwood and musk. The effect is leathery, with a faint kiss of apple pie.
Santal by Floris £100.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- black pepper
- cardamom
- cedarwood
- cloves
- frankincense
- nutmeg
- sandalwood
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge.
Woodoo by Reserve en Afrique 1934 £150.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- cypriol
- frankincense
- ginger
- incense
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
In this jungle, nature holds absolute power. Vines coil overhead, hiding the sky. Darkness drapes the woods, and every shadow conceals a predator. The perfume jungle that is Woodoo opens with notes of Nigerian ginger, along with Somalian olibanum, with its facets of vibrant green incense, fresh citrus, peppery spice and balsamic woods. Powdery iris and balsamic cistus lurk in the heart. The complexity deepens with a furry base of musk, benzoin, tonka bean and cypriol. Subtly powerful.
Réserve en Afrique eaux de parfum feature responsibly sourced naturals, and are free from parabens, phthalates, UV filters and colorants. Their natural alcohol base is derived from beetroots, and they are a PETA-listed vegan & cruelty-free brand.
104 Terra Hedera by Bon Parfumeur £175.00
- Key notes:
- bigarade
- cardamom
- frankincense
- galbanum
- hyacinth
- mastic
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- green
- leather
- vintage/old school
- woody
Inspired by the concepts of “green” and “freedom”, Terra Hedera evokes horseback riding on the Mongolian steppe. A green hyacinth intertwined with tenacious ivy and crisp galbanum.
Perfumer: Corinne Cachen
Beso de Fuego by Beso Beach £145.00
- Key notes:
- black pepper
- frankincense
- incense
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
This is an after-dark jasmine that smoulders, thanks to shadow-dwelling frankincense spiced up with Guatemalan cardamom and Madagascar black pepper. The charm of the char continues with cedarwood and cypress.
Perfumer: Alberto Morillas
Bois d’Ascese by Naomi Goodsir £170.00
- Key notes:
- frankincense
- oak
- smoke
- tobacco
- whisky
- Aromagroups:
- woody
Perfumer: Julien Rasquinet.
Naomi Goodsir’s Bois d’Ascese is perhaps the smokiest peaty and charred-whiskey-barrels smelling perfume out there. But the smoke in this fragrance is quite contemplative, it’s not the hints of gunpowder or fireworks, neither is it anything foody. The smoke and woods in this perfume are dry and romantically ascetic, rather introvert and they practice self-discipline.
Bois de Santal by Brandt £185.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- frankincense
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- woody
A celebration of sensual sandalwood. It's the central note, like a golden thread seamlessly interwovenwith the exotic allure of cardamom, creating a lightly spiced composition that whispers luxury. The heart of the fragrance continues with supple cashmere woods lending a soft, velvety quality, while violet and orris underscore the powdery edge of sandalwood. As the fragrance blooms on the skin, olibanum and vanilla produces a subtle warmth, a serene endnote to a fragrance that is both tranquil and tantalizing.
Caelestis by Wesker £220.00
- Key notes:
- ambergris
- cedrat
- frankincense
- juniper
- neroli
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- leather
- woody
This elixir was inspired by the spirit of the celestial heavens. Solar florals, including lily of the valley, neroli, ylang-ylang and mimosa, swirl their sunshine around all within sniffing distance. Day turns to night with the added bitterness of frankincense and juniper wood. Caelestis is a scent that evokes the purity of a clear morning, the promise of a new day, and the boundless freedom of the night sky.
Camel by Zoologist £200.00
- Key notes:
- dates
- frankincense
- myrrh
- oud
- Aromagroups:
- woody
“On a track through an unforgiving desert, starting point and destination are indistinguishable from one another. Terra-cotta hued dunes twist and writhe, their shapes ever shifting. Only the merciless sun and aloof constellations can be trusted to point the way. Weighed down by treasures; some tempting the eyes with their glittering sheen, others enticing with exotic aromas, the camel plods towards a far off marketplace. Water is but a dream now, the taste of sweet dates a distant memory. There is nothing but an endless ocean of sand.” - Zoologist.
Perfumer: Christian Carbonnel.
Dangerosa by Reserve en Afrique 1934 £150.00
- Key notes:
- artemisia
- elemi
- frankincense
- geranium
- rose
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- green
- woody
Enter the realm of dangerous flora, where flowers bloom hungrily and fatal nectar beckons. Beneath smooth leaves, sharp thorns await. This is nature’s exquisite revenge, where beauty becomes an irresistible danger. This fragrance opens with the peppery-lemon of elemi and bitter green artemisia. A bloody rose unfurls alongside its scent kin Egyptian geranium, their metallic facets softened by velvety osmanthus. Resin, incense and woods lends authority.
Réserve en Afrique eaux de parfum feature responsibly sourced naturals, and are free from parabens, phthalates, UV filters and colorants. Their natural alcohol base is derived from beetroots, and they are a PETA-listed vegan & cruelty-free brand.
About Incense Perfumum by Balenciaga
- What makes Incense Perfumum by Balenciaga distinctive in the oriental category?
- Incense Perfumum stands out for its combination of frankincense, Spanish labdanum, and cedarwood, creating a resinous, balsamic warmth balanced by dry woodiness. Its use of Spanish labdanum adds a rich, leathery depth uncommon in many incense-focused orientals.
- How do these fragrances differ from Incense Perfumum by Balenciaga?
- While all share key notes like frankincense or cedarwood, these fragrances vary in their supporting accords, ranging from spicy and fresh to smoky or sweet nuances. None replicate the labdanum note, which is a defining aspect of Incense Perfumum’s unique balsamic character.
- Are any of these fragrances suitable for someone looking for a less intense incense scent?
- Yes, options like Santal by Floris or Bois de Santal by Brandt offer cleaner, fresher, and softer interpretations of incense with less emphasis on smoky or beastly notes, making them more approachable for those preferring subtlety.









