Sandalwood for Skin: Benefits, Uses & How to Use It

Sandalwood tree popularly called chandan in Ayurvedic medicine, has been used in traditional skin care for centuries due to its calming and cooling properties. The advantages of sandalwood for the skin are primarily related to its traditional applications and studies on sandalwood oil and its natural compounds. 

Understand how sandalwood can be incorporated into a skin care regimen, the use of sandalwood for skin, skin types that may be suitable for sandalwood, and what to consider before using sandalwood on your face.

What Is Sandalwood?

Sandalwood is the fragrant heartwood of trees from the Santalum genus. Santalum album, commonly known as Indian or white sandalwood, is the species traditionally associated with sandalwood oil and Ayurvedic preparations, alongside other traditional skincare herbs like turmeric and saffron. 

The naturally occurring constituents found in sandalwood, alpha-santalol and beta-santalol, have been investigated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

What Are the Benefits of Sandalwood for Skin?

The potential sandalwood benefits for  skin soothing, rejuvenating, fresh complexion and antioxidants. Sandalwood is also traditionally used in preparation for treating oily, acne and dull complexions. There is limited research on human use, though, sandalwood is considered a useful addition to skin care and is not recommended for treating a skin condition.

Helps Soothe and Calm Skin

Sandalwood is a traditional ingredient in skin care formulas that are meant to cool, calm and comfort the skin, much like vetiver, another cooling root used in Indian skincare.  In laboratory studies, anti-inflammatory properties of sandalwood oil and its constituents have been also studied.

The results obtained here have proved to be of value to the knowledge of sandalwood, but have not been proved to have the same effect on human skin by laboratory experiments.

Supports Clearer-Looking Skin

In Indian traditional medicine, sandalwood has been used for skin care products for oily or congested skin.

A small study tested a skin care regimen with sandalwood oil and salicylic acid on individuals suffering from mild to moderate acne and found that it improved. The results in the regimen used could not be used to determine whether it was the sandalwood or the salicylic acid that brought about the improvements.

Provides Antioxidant Support

The antioxidant potential of sandalwood oil and its compounds, like santalol, has been shown in laboratory studies.

Antioxidant ingredients may be incorporated into a skin care regimen for healthful appearance of skin; however, further human studies are required to determine the exact effects of sandalwood.

Supports Healthy-Looking Skin

Sandalwood can be used alongside basic skin care to ensure that skin is fresh, balanced and comfortable.

It is commonly used in face packs, cosmetic products and is a common ingredient in Ayurvedic skincare.

Helps Improve the Appearance of Dull Skin

Traditionally, sandalwood has been used in face preparations to freshen up dull-looking skin. For other causes and fixes, see how to brighten dull skin naturally. 

The use of sandalwood compounds has been subject to laboratory studies that have been carried out for pigmentation, but this does not mean that sandalwood is a skin lightening agent.

Is Sandalwood Good for the Face?

Sandalwood can be used as a cosmetic ingredient in facial skincare, particularly in suitable powders, face packs and formulated products. However, whether sandalwood is good for face skin depends on the form used, the rest of the formulation and individual skin sensitivity.

The available human research does not establish that applying homemade sandalwood powder to the face produces the same effects observed in studies of sandalwood oil or formulated products.

Sandalwood for Oily Skin

Sandalwood is traditionally used in skincare for oily and combination skin. Since what causes oily skin varies from person to person, treat it as a supporting step and not a fix. 

Sandalwood for Acne-Prone Skin

Sandalwood for acne has limited human evidence.

One small study investigated a skincare regimen containing sandalwood oil and salicylic acid and reported improvement in people with mild to moderate acne. Because the regimen contained salicylic acid, the study cannot establish sandalwood alone as an acne treatment. If you are building a routine around breakouts, start with a daily skincare routine for acne-prone skin. 

Sandalwood for Dry and Dull Skin

Sandalwood can be included in skincare products designed for dry or dull-looking skin, particularly when combined with moisturizing ingredients.

For dry skin, sandalwood should not replace a moisturizer. A suitable moisturizer remains important for maintaining hydration and supporting the skin barrier.

Sandalwood for Uneven-Looking Skin Tone

Sandalwood is traditionally used in complexion-focused skincare.

Laboratory research has investigated sandalwood compounds and tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production. However, this does not establish that sandalwood can reduce pigmentation or change skin tone in people.

How to Use Sandalwood for Skin

You can use sandalwood for skin in several forms, including sandalwood powder, paste, face packs and formulated skincare products. The most practical approach is to choose a product intended for topical use, follow its directions and patch test before applying a new preparation more widely.

Sandalwood Powder and Paste

Sandalwood powder can be incorporated into a face pack or cosmetic paste.

Avoid aggressively rubbing dry sandalwood powder onto your face. Friction can irritate the skin, particularly if your skin is sensitive or already uncomfortable.

Sandalwood Face Packs

A sandalwood face pack is one of the traditional ways to use chandan in skincare.

A simple face pack can be used as an occasional skincare step rather than as a replacement for a cleanser or moisturizer.

Sandalwood in Skincare Products

Sandalwood is also used in formulated cleansers, masks, creams and other cosmetic products.

For regular skincare, a formulated product can be more convenient because the ingredients and concentrations are determined as part of the product formulation.

How Often to Use Sandalwood

There is no clinically established frequency for homemade sandalwood preparations.

For a finished product, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using a homemade preparation, start occasionally and stop if you experience dryness, burning, itching or redness.

Choosing the Right Sandalwood Form for Your Skin

Different forms of sandalwood are not automatically interchangeable. The right choice depends on how you intend to use it and what else is present in the formulation.

For most users, a properly formulated skincare product can be simpler than preparing raw sandalwood at home.

Is Sandalwood Safe for Skin?

Sandalwood can be used in cosmetic skincare, but sandalwood oil can cause allergic contact reactions in some people. Safety depends on the form, concentration and complete formulation. A patch test is particularly useful when trying a new sandalwood product.

Patch Testing Before Use

Before applying a new sandalwood preparation to your face, test it on a small area of skin first.

Watch for:

• Redness
• Itching
• Burning
• Swelling
• Rash

If a reaction occurs, wash the product off and stop using it.

Using Sandalwood Powder Correctly

Sandalwood powder should not be treated like a facial scrub.

Use gentle application and avoid excessive rubbing. If the preparation feels irritating or excessively drying, discontinue use.

Precautions When Using Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood oil is different from sandalwood powder.

Because essential oils and fragrance ingredients can cause sensitivity in some people, avoid applying concentrated sandalwood oil directly to the face unless it is specifically formulated and intended for topical facial use.

White Sandalwood vs Red Sandalwood: What's the Difference?

White sandalwood and red sandalwood are different plants, so the names should not be treated as interchangeable.

When purchasing sandalwood powder or a skincare product, check the ingredient or botanical name to understand which plant it contains.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is sandalwood safe for daily use on the face?

No clinical recommendation exists for daily use of the home remedy for sandalwood. Use a formulated product according to instructions and/or decrease or discontinue use when skin is irritated or too dry.

How much time should I leave Sandalwood on my face?

Use the face pack or skin care product according to instructions. Don't leave homemade preparations on for longer than necessary as there is no clinically proven leave-on time.

Can I Use Sandalwood Powder Directly on My Face?

Sandalwood powder may be added to an appropriate cosmetic formulation, but may be too abrasive if applied directly to the face as a powder.

Is it safe to use Sandalwood on sensitive skin?

Always perform a patch test especially with products containing fragrance or sandalwood oil. Stop using the product if you experience itching, burning, redness or other irritation.

If the sandalwood irritates what should I do?

Rinse the product off, and discontinue use. If the reaction is serious, continuing or worsening, ask for professional medical help.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any Ayurvedic treatment or remedy.