What Sandalwood Can Do for Your Skin: A Classic Indian Remedy for an Even, Glowing Complexion

Sandalwood is a much-loved fragrance across the world, often evoking soft breezes, restful spaces, and a sense of peace and calm. It’s commonly used in aromatherapy and meditation practice around the world.

The wood and oil is prized in many religious faiths, including Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and many East Asian traditions. It’s used in sacred ceremonies, as rosary beads, as incense, and as a decorative, cleansing paste.

Sandalwood’s soft, woody aroma works well in soaps and body scrubs, and it’s been used in Indian skin care for centuries.

Ancient Ayurvedic texts and Traditional Chinese Medicine praise sandalwood for its many medicinal uses, and there’s plenty of scientific evidence to support this.

Benefits for skin

Sandalwood album oil (SAO) has multiple beneficial qualities for the skin. It’s said to be:

anti-inflammatory
antimicrobial
antiproliferative, or inhibits undesirable cell growth
antiviral
antiseptic
fever-reducing
scabies inhibiting

“Its key active ingredient is alpha-santalol, and it’s been used for a number of ailments,” says Monisha Bhanote, MD. She notes that sandalwood oil may inhibit bacteria and yeast.

Sandalwood oil may help with: