Sandalwood oil - unique properties and uses

The balsamic, woody, enveloping aroma of sandalwood was used in rituals and religious ceremonies. It was relaxing and peaceful.

It has been proven that sandalwood oil exhibits antioxidant, antiviral, antitumor, antifungal, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Sandalwood is used in the production of cosmetics - face masks, moisturizers, cleansers and others.

Due to the threat of extinction of white/East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), Polynesian (Santalum austrocaledonicum) and Australian (Santalum spicatum) sandals are also used in aromatherapy. The compositions of the first and second are relatively close. The Australian one is inferior in terms of alpha- and beta-santalol content. Therefore, the properties will differ.

In this article, we will discuss the cosmetic and therapeutic value of white sandalwood essential oil in facial and body skin care.

Composition and medicinal properties of the product

Sandalwood oil has a rich composition and is essential. It is usually yellowish in color and viscous in consistency. The smell is quite pronounced, the aroma is woody with herbal notes. The oil consists of 90% santalol, a substance that has a complex therapeutic effect on the body. Additional ingredients included in the product: teresantalol, santalon and santenone.

Sandalwood oil has the following medicinal properties:

destroys bacteria;
has an anti-inflammatory effect;
regulates the menstrual cycle;
helps to quickly cure bronchitis and other diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, accompanied by a dry cough;
relieves cystitis and urethritis;
eliminates swelling;
stimulates the immune system;
has a calming effect;
helps normalize sleep.

Sandalwood oil is a rather expensive product, as it is obtained from the wood of trees that are more than 30 years old through distillation. The cooking process takes up to 72 hours. High-quality oil costs at least 600–700 rubles. for 1 ml.

Sandalwood oil is an expensive product

Properties

Sandalwood oil is produced by distilling the wood or rhizome of the sandalwood tree. The main component of the extract obtained is santalol. This is a rare fragrant alcohol that has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. The proportion of the substance varies depending on the location of the tree. Indian sandalwood contains 90% santalol, Australian sandalwood contains 70%, and Polynesian sandalwood contains 60%. The first type is the most expensive and rare, but the most useful.

Santalol, in addition to the listed properties, has other effects on the human body:

Antibacterial - helps fight both skin and respiratory, digestive and other microbial diseases.
Antifungal - eliminates fungal infections.
Expectorant - removes mucus, relieves irritation of the respiratory tract.
Diuretic - applicable for diseases of the genitourinary and excretory systems, gently removes fluid from the body, removes swelling.
Equalizes blood pressure and strengthens the heart muscles.
Tones, calms, therefore effective for stress or as a light stimulant.

The properties of sandalwood essential oil are used in medicine, cosmetology and perfumery, remaining an integral part of Hindu religious rituals.

Use of oil in hair care

Sandalwood oil improves hair condition, eliminates dandruff and hair loss, and adds lost shine. The product is suitable for moisturizing the roots. Shampoos and conditioners can be enriched with oil. To do this, in 1 tbsp. l. hair care products, just add 3 drops of ether. You should not overdo it, otherwise you can provoke itching.

To make your hair silky and manageable, you can use the following technique:

Add 10 drops of sandalwood oil to 1 liter of warm water and stir.
After washing your hair, rinse your hair with this mixture.

To strengthen the hair roots, you can use the following mask:

In 1 tbsp. l. burdock and 1 tbsp. l. olive oil must be dissolved 3 drops of sandalwood ether.
Then rub the composition into the roots of the hair, while keeping the head slightly moistened.
Keep the mask on for 20 minutes, then rinse with water.

If you apply 1 drop of sandalwood ether to a hair massage brush and comb your strands for 5 minutes, they will be shiny and healthy.

Photo Gallery: Ingredients for Sandalwood Oil Hair Care Recipes

Sandalwood oil makes hair silky and shiny

Olive oil moisturizes hair roots

Burdock oil prevents hair loss

Sandalwood oil: Love Beauty and Planet “Shea Butter & Sandalwood” shampoo 400 ml

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Sandalwood oil is good for hair and scalp, so you can buy medicated shampoo containing it. Such a product is offered by Love Beauty and Planet - “Purposeful Hydration Shampoo, Shea Butter & Sandalwood” (400 ml). The product does not contain sulfates, dyes and parabens, which means it is gentle on the hair without disturbing its structure. After several uses, the hair becomes significantly softer, easier to comb and does not look lifeless. Suitable even for colored hair. The composition also includes other active ingredients: shea butter and coconut oil.

Recommendations for use: Love Beauty and Planet shampoo should be used like any other scalp wash.

Application of skin care product

Sandalwood oil can be used to treat acne, eliminate wrinkles and give a healthy complexion to the face. To do this, creams can be enriched with the product:

For 1 tsp. The cream only requires 1 drop of oil.
Mix both ingredients and use for daily care.
However, after 10 days of regular use, it is better to take a break for a week.

Effective face masks with sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil can be used to improve skin elasticity and smooth out fine wrinkles. To do this you need:

In 1 tsp. avocado oil, add 1 drop of sandalwood ether and apply to face.
Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with water.
Repeat once a week.

To tone the skin, you can make the following mask:

Dilute 1 tsp. cosmetic clay with water until the consistency of sour cream is obtained.
Then add 1 drop each of geranium and sandalwood esters.
Mix everything and apply to face.
After 15 minutes, rinse with water.

To eliminate wrinkles and prevent their further spread, you need to:

In 1 tsp. Jojoba oil add 1 drop each of sandalwood, neroli and rose esters.
Mix everything and apply to cleansed face.
After 15 minutes, rinse with water.

To get rid of acne, the oil can be applied directly to each pimple daily for 10 days.

Photo gallery: ingredients of face masks with sandalwood oil

Rose oil gives skin tone

Neroli oil helps maintain skin elasticity

Geranium oil helps fight age-related skin changes

Avocado oil moisturizes skin

Jojoba oil prevents flaking

Cosmetic clay saturates the skin with beneficial substances

Sandalwood oil: Love Beauty and Planet “Shea Butter & Sandalwood” body lotion 400 ml

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Love Beauty and Planet has released several products containing sandalwood oil . In addition to shampoo, the buyer can purchase body lotion - “Shea Velvet Body Lotion, Shea Butter & Sandalwood” (400 ml). It also has a natural composition: sandalwood and shea butter. The difference between this product and others is that thanks to the components, the risk of allergies or rashes is reduced to almost zero.

You need to use the lotion as standard: spread it over the skin with massage movements. Suitable for daily use.

Nail care with sandalwood oil

To improve your nails, you can use the following method:

Take 1 tsp. baby cream and 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil.
Mix the ingredients well.
Use the composition daily, rubbing into nails and cuticles.

The course should be at least 10–14 days. At the same time, nails become stronger and take on a healthy appearance.

To strengthen your nails, you can make a special moisturizing composition:

In 1 tbsp. l. olive oil, add 3 drops of sandalwood ether and mix.
Rub the prepared mixture into your nails every day for 10–14 days. It all depends on the condition of the nail plate.

Contraindications

Sandalwood essential oil, in addition to its beneficial properties, has a number of contraindications:

Not recommended for sensitive people and allergy sufferers; preliminary testing for an allergic reaction is required.
For medical purposes it is prohibited for use by pregnant women.
With caution - for people with diseases of the kidneys and reproductive system (without consulting a doctor, it can aggravate the pathology).
Hypotonic patients and people with nervous system disorders should consult a specialist before use.

It is used for cosmetic purposes without any restrictions, except for personal intolerance to the substance, and in perfumery as well.

We recommend reading: “Using St. John’s wort oil for hair and face at home.”

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy with sandalwood oil helps get rid of nervousness, lifts your mood and improves performance, and also relieves insomnia. Carrying out aromatherapy:

In 1 tbsp. l. add 10 drops of sandalwood ether to water and place in the aroma lamp bowl.
The duration of the therapy session is 20–30 minutes.

The course of procedures is at least 7–10 days.

Aromatherapy can be performed at any time of the day, depending on the underlying problem. To improve sleep and relieve nervous tension, it is better to do this in the evening.

Aromatherapy with sandalwood oil has a calming and relaxing effect

Sandalwood oil: Freeman Beauty mask “Polishing Gel Mask + Scrub, Charcoal + Black Sugar” 175 ml

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To soften and cleanse the skin, a mask with sandalwood oil from Freeman Beauty - “Feeling Beautiful, Polishing Gel Mask + Scrub, Charcoal + Black Sugar” (175 ml). It is suitable for any skin type, penetrates deep into the pores and cleanses them of impurities. Also, along with the mask, the stratum corneum is washed off the face, due to which inflammation can develop.

Directions for use: Remove makeup from skin and apply mask to face and neck. Wait 5-7 minutes. During this time, the mask will dry. Then lightly moisten your face with warm water and massage. Rinse off. Carry out the procedure twice a week.

Sandalwood oil massage

Massage with sandalwood oil allows you to relax your muscles, relieve tension and improve the condition of your spine. To conduct a session you need:

Prepare 1 tbsp. l. base of cream, olive oil and jojoba.
Add 3 drops of sandalwood ether to the base.
Then do a back massage, starting from the cervical region and smoothly moving to the thoracic and lumbar.

A massage mixture with sandalwood ether can be used to rub joints with arthrosis. If you do this regularly, the pain will become less intense due to the reduction in inflammation.

Compound

The synthetic product quite accurately conveys the aroma of the ether, but differs from the natural one in its chemical composition. The natural product combines a number of unique components:

Santalol - activates hematopoiesis, nourishes the deep layers of the dermis, stops early skin aging. It is this that gives the aroma woody and creamy shades.
Santalen is an antiseptic. Its task is to fight inflammation, relieve irritation, itching, and narrow pores.
Kuparen - fights oily shine, normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, tightens pores, protects the skin from exposure to aggressive environments, and restores water balance.
Santalon - takes on the function of removing toxins, normalizing renewal processes, stimulating collagen synthesis, giving firmness and elasticity to the skin, smoothing out the networks of superficial wrinkles.
Eugenol is a phenol with an analgesic, antiseptic effect, and has a clove aroma.
Isoeugenol is a phenol that gives the composition a floral clove aroma.

Such an unusual combination of substances gives the product a specific combination of the fresh smell of wood and flowers. Phenols have a beneficial effect on the skin and respiratory system.

How to select and store

The oil is not very often found in pharmacies; you can usually buy it in specialized stores. When choosing a product you need to pay attention to several nuances:

Naturalness. Real sandalwood ester must contain 100% essential oil, without any additional components. Otherwise, the valuable properties and benefits of the product will be much lower.
Price. A quality product is quite expensive - on average from 600 to 1000 rubles and more. The low price of ether should raise doubts about its quality and naturalness.
Manufacturer. The main suppliers of the product are Egypt, the countries of South Asia and the Middle East; cold regions cannot produce natural oil.

Cheap sandalwood ester is most often a fake

Very often you can find ethers on the market with a cost of about 100-200 rubles. In this case, it is necessary to carefully study the characteristics of the product. Most often, the extract of the so-called West Indian sandalwood, or amyris, a plant from the Rutaceae family, is sold at a low price. Amyris has many valuable properties, but it is only related to sandalwood by its unofficial name. The chemical composition of plants is completely different, and they also act differently on the body when used.

Natural sandalwood extract should be stored under standard conditions - at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C, in a dark place and in a tightly sealed dark glass bottle. When used, the product retains its valuable properties for 3 years, provided that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

A little history

History of sandalwood oil

India is the birthplace of religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. In the rituals of followers of these religious movements, sandalwood and the products that are obtained from it, including oil, are widespread. Hindus consider the wood of this tree and its aroma sacred, and use it for bonfires on which the deceased are cremated. True, such burial is available only to the rich.

Mentions of sandalwood oil are found in the religious texts of Hinduism - the Vedas. In particular, Ayurveda - Hindu medicine, advises the use of sandalwood oil for disinfection and speedy healing of wounds and cuts, treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, use for meditation and expansion of consciousness.

In Ancient Egypt, sandalwood oil was also known and widely used in medicine and cosmetology. It is known that sandalwood oil was one of the components of the embalming composition.