White Sandalwood: What It Is and Why People Use It

White sandalwood, often labeled Santalum album, is the classic sandalwood used in perfumery, skincare, and aromatherapy. People like it for its warm, woody scent and a smooth, long-lasting aroma. Beyond the smell, it shows up in facial oils, serums, and incense. If you care about natural ingredients or want a calming scent at home, white sandalwood is worth knowing.

Don’t confuse white sandalwood with cheaper fragrance blends. Real white sandalwood oil comes from the heartwood of mature trees and is often costly. That price reflects rarity and demand, not marketing hype.

Common Uses and Practical Tips

Here are simple, real-world ways people use white sandalwood:

- In a diffuser: add 2–4 drops to fill a small room with a steady, calming scent. Start low—you can always add more.

- Topical use: mix 0.5–2% sandalwood oil in a carrier oil (like jojoba or sweet almond) for face or body. For facial blends, keep it near 0.5–1% to reduce irritation risk. Do a patch test first.

- Skincare formulations: sandalwood is prized for leaving skin soft and for its scent. Use verified supplier oils and follow recommended concentrations in cosmetic recipes.

- Personal fragrance: blend 5–15% sandalwood in alcohol or oil bases for a long-lasting, woody note.

Safety, Quality, and Buying Smart

Safety is simple: don’t ingest essential oils unless a licensed professional advises so. For topical use, always dilute and patch-test. Pregnant or nursing people and infants should avoid strong topical application or consult a healthcare provider first.

When buying, check the label for the botanical name (Santalum album or the correct species), country of origin, and whether the oil is pure or diluted. If you can, ask for a GC/MS report—this shows the oil’s chemical profile and helps spot adulteration. Beware of vague labels like "sandalwood fragrance"—that usually means a synthetic blend.

Sustainability matters. True white sandalwood trees take decades to mature, so look for suppliers with ethical sourcing, replanting programs, or certified sustainable harvests. Cheaper oils often come from blends or younger trees that don’t deliver the same scent or quality.

Store your oil in a dark glass bottle, away from heat and direct sunlight. Proper storage keeps the scent steady for years—most oils last 3–5 years if stored well.

Final quick checklist: check botanical name, request purity info, dilute before skin use, patch-test, and prioritize sustainable sources. White sandalwood is lovely when used right—simple, calming, and elegant without the guesswork.