Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil

Santalum album (sandalwood) oil is an essential oil distilled from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. It's used chiefly as a natural fragrance and aromatic component in cosmetics, with limited evidence for skincare effects.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
Sandalwood oil is mainly a warm, woody fragrance ingredient.
Category
Fragrance
Type
Essential Oil

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Delivers a warm, woody scent that elevates the sensory experience of skincare; skincare-specific benefits are not well established.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Commonly used as a fragrance component in moisturizers, body oils, and cleansers, and to scent mists or perfumes.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Essential oils can irritate or trigger contact allergy; patch test and use at low concentrations, particularly on sensitive skin. Stop use if burning, redness, or persistent dryness occurs.

Is Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil a Good Ingredient?

Fair, because it's primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited evidence for skincare benefit, and essential oils like this carry a higher likelihood of irritation or sensitization, especially in leave-on use. The benefits stay mostly sensory rather than clinically proven.

Products with Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil

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