Sandalwood: Benefits for the Skin, the Soul and Perfumery : Your online pharmacy selection

What is sandalwood?
Sandalwood is an aromatic wood from the Santalum album tree, grown mainly in India, Indonesia and Australia. Renowned for its warm, bewitching woody fragrance, it has been used for thousands of years in perfumery, Ayurvedic medicine, cosmetics and spiritual rituals.

Its essential oil, obtained by distilling the wood, is prized for its soothing, antiseptic and regenerative properties. Sandalwood is also used in incense and powder form for meditation and well-being practices.

What are the benefits of sandalwood?
Sandalwood is an ingredient with multiple virtues for body, mind and skin:

1. Soothes the mind and reduces stress → Its fragrance promotes relaxation, concentration and letting go.
2. Improves sleep quality → Its calming effect helps combat insomnia and nocturnal restlessness.
3. Supports skin health → Its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce acne, redness and skin irritation.
4. Strengthens the immune system → Its antimicrobial and purifying action helps fight infections.
5. Improves breathing → Used as an inhalant, it relieves nasal congestion and ENT ailments.
6. Harmonizes the emotions → Associated with spiritual practices, it promotes a state of inner peace and emotional balance.
7. Aids digestion → In infusion or decoction, it stimulates the liver and soothes gastrointestinal disorders.
8. Stimulates libido → Known for its aphrodisiac virtues, it acts as a natural tonic.

How to use sandalwood
Sandalwood can be used in different forms depending on your needs:

Sandalwood essential oil
Diffusion → Calms anxiety, promotes meditation and improves the mood of a room.
In massage → Mixed with a vegetable oil, it helps release muscular tension and moisturize the skin.
Inhalation → Decongests the respiratory tract and relieves stress.
Incense and sandalwood
Burned in stick or powder form → Purifies the air and promotes serenity.
Used in spiritual rituals → Employed for meditation and prayer in many traditions.
Sandalwood powder
As a face mask → Mixed with honey or yoghurt, it purifies the skin and reduces acne.
As a poultice → Soothes inflammation and skin irritation.
Sandalwood infusion
Improves digestion and blood circulation.
Helps eliminate toxins and supports liver function.

Is sandalwood good for skin and hair?
Yes, sandalwood is a valuable ingredient in natural cosmetics:

Purifies and balances the skin → Ideal for oily, blemish-prone skin.
Soothes irritation and redness → Suitable for sensitive and reactive skin.
Moisturizes and regenerates the epidermis → Its essential oil helps prevent skin dehydration.
Delicately scents cosmetic care → Integrated into creams and lotions, it offers a relaxing woody scent.

Is sandalwood used in perfumery and aromatherapy?
Yes, its woody, creamy and sensual aroma makes it a must-have ingredient:

As a base note in luxury perfumes → As a natural fixative, it enhances oriental and woody fragrances.
In synergy with other essential oils → Pairs with jasmine, rose, vanilla and patchouli for deep, bewitching fragrances.
In meditation and relaxation → Its scent promotes concentration and emotional grounding.

What's the difference between white and red sandalwood?
White sandalwood (Santalum album) → More rare and sought-after, it is used in perfumery, cosmetics and Ayurvedic medicine.
Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) → Botanically different, it is mainly used for its coloring and medicinal properties in traditional Indian medicine.
White sandalwood has the best aromatic and therapeutic qualities.

Where to buy quality sandalwood?
Since real sandalwood is a precious and often overexploited resource, it's important to choose products from ethical and sustainable sources:

Boutiques specializing in aromatherapy and phytotherapy → Pure, certified essential oils.
Organic stores and herbalists → Quality powder and incense.
Luxury perfumeries → Fragrances based on real white sandalwood.
Cooperatives and committed producers → Guarantee responsible extraction and fair trade.
Choose labelled and traced products to avoid counterfeits and substitutions.

Does sandalwood have any contraindications?
Although sandalwood is a natural product, its use must be moderate and appropriate:

Sandalwood essential oil is not recommended for pregnant women or young children.
Do not apply pure to the skin → Always dilute in a vegetable oil.
Some poor-quality incense may contain irritating substances → Choose natural, not synthetic products.