Sandalwood oil: properties and use in cosmetology

Properties of sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil has been known since ancient Egypt

• Sandalwood oil is obtained from the evergreen sandalwood tree, which grows in the highlands of South Asia, mainly in India. Its production has been known for thousands of years
• In India and other countries, sandalwood oil was used for religious, cosmetic and medical purposes. Sandalwood itself and the oil from it are distinguished by a persistent, specific aroma that cannot be confused with any other
• The consistency of this oil is quite dense, and the color is yellowish without impurities. Oil is obtained from tree wood and from its roots using steam technology
• Sandalwood shavings are prepared, soaked for several days, and then the process of evaporating the essential oil follows. A ton of raw material produces 100 kg of sandalwood oil

The pleasant aroma of sandalwood oil cannot be confused with anything.

IMPORTANT: Sandalwood oil has been an object of trade since the times of Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians, among other things, used it for embalming

What properties does sandalwood oil have, what is its value? Sandalwood oil contains substances such as santalol, teresantalol, santalone, santalen, santhenone. In general, this is:

• antibacterial, aseptic agent
• antitussive expectorant
• aphrodisiac
• anti-inflammatory and sedative
• vascular strengthener
• a product for strengthening, rejuvenating, smoothing and moisturizing the skin

Long lasting perfume

Not sharp, but the thick and dense woody-earth aroma of sandalwood is amazingly durable, and therefore has established itself as an ideal base for perfume compositions. This is perhaps the oldest component of traditional oriental perfumes, literally personifying Asian exoticism. In perfumes, sandalwood oil acts as a base, fixative and stabilizer of aroma; Arabic, chypre, and fougere compositions rarely do without it. In addition, it goes well with many other notes, although in itself it is quite bright and memorable. Today, the perfume industry uses artificial analogues of sandalwood aroma, and the natural substance can be found in soap, solid perfumes, and aroma pendants.

It’s not difficult to become a perfumer and the author of your own unique aroma bouquet, you just need to show your imagination. Solid perfume is prepared as follows: mix a teaspoon of wax and any base oil (coconut, grape seed, olive, etc.), add 25-30 drops of sandalwood oil (or any other whose smell you like). Place in suitable packaging and you're done. The scope for imagination is endless, but sandalwood will not hurt in any aroma composition, as it will give the perfume durability.

Interesting: Sandalwood oil: 7 unknown facts

Attention: allergen!

Although the World Health Organization has recognized sandalwood oil as the safest of the esters, violent individual reactions to it are not excluded. And contact with pure oil is even more dangerous - the concentrated liquid can even cause a burn.

It’s easy to check your individual oil tolerance: apply a drop of the mixture (with sunflower oil, for example) on the bend of your elbow and monitor the reaction.

An overdose of sandalwood is marked by a burning sensation of the mucous membranes in the nasopharynx, severe thirst, and sometimes nausea. It is not recommended to use sandalwood before the age of 12, and it is also better to avoid it during pregnancy.

Acute inflammatory processes in the genitourinary area are a categorical contraindication.

Use of sandalwood oil in cosmetology

Sandalwood oil is a popular product in cosmetology. As a component, it is used for masks for the face and body, as a component of creams and lotions, balms and shampoos.

Let's be honest that during industrial technological production containing certain chemical elements, some beneficial properties of sandalwood may be lost.

Sandalwood essential oil is widely used in cosmetology.

For cosmetic purposes, it is better to take pure sandalwood oil and add it yourself to creams, balms, shampoos and lotions (approximate proportion - oil: 4 drops, base - 20 g). Then the effect of sandalwood oil will be much more significant.

Nail care with sandalwood oil

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 an expensive product

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:

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

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

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

Sandalwood oil makes hair silky and shiny Olive oil moisturizes hair roots Burdock oil prevents hair loss

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rose oil gives skin tone Neroli oil helps maintain skin elasticity Geranium oil helps fight age-related changes in the skin Avocado oil moisturizes the skin Jojoba oil prevents flaking Cosmetic clay saturates the skin with beneficial substances

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

1. Take 1 tsp. baby cream and 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil.
2. Mix the ingredients well.
3. 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:

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

Properties of sandalwood oil
Obtaining essential oil from sandalwood is a rather complex and lengthy process. To produce 1 kg of the final product, more than 100 kg of chips are required. To obtain high-quality raw materials, the tree must be at least 30 years old. Now the population of sandalwood forests is very small and unstable, therefore, in order to restore it, the production of sandalwood oil has been significantly reduced and export has been prohibited. Due to all these factors, sandalwood oil is very expensive.

The main substance in sandalwood oil is santanol, its content in the final product reaches 90%. This substance gives sandalwood essential oil anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and antiseptic properties.

Sandalwood essential oil is successfully used to treat respiratory diseases. Thanks to its properties, it is able to fight dry coughs that occur against the background of old bronchitis, sore throat or acute respiratory infections. In the treatment of such diseases, the oil is used for inhalations, compresses and rinses. Aromatherapy also has a beneficial effect.

Sandalwood essential oil is used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system, gynecological problems, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, lowering blood pressure and solving many other health problems. Regular use of sandalwood oil strengthens the body's nervous and immune systems.

Due to its calming effect, sandalwood oil has been used by yogis for meditation since ancient times to this day. Aromatherapy using sandalwood has a powerful effect in regulating the psycho-emotional background. Under the influence of the aroma of sandalwood oil, anxiety decreases, nervous tension subsides, fears and irritation go away, and sleep normalizes.

It is worth noting that the aroma of sandalwood essential oil is recognized as one of the most effective aphrodisiacs.

Significantly improve the health of your hair by using sandalwood essential oil for your hair. By using it regularly, you can forget about dandruff and significantly reduce hair loss. Treatments with sandalwood oil will nourish your hair with energy, make it thick and shiny. By applying oil to the scalp, you can strengthen the hair follicles, relieve inflammation, and relieve itching if the skin is dry and irritated.

Also, sandalwood essential oil applied to the ends of the hair will prevent split ends and give your hair a well-groomed appearance. In addition to the visible benefits, sandalwood will give your hair a unique light aroma. To do this, you need to add ether to water at the rate of 3-4 drops per liter, and use the solution as a rinse aid.

An excellent nourishing mask is made from honey. This product is a real panacea, and if you enhance its effect with a few drops of sandalwood oil, the effect will be unsurpassed. Keep the mask on your head for about half an hour, warming your head with a towel, and then wash your hair using conventional products. After such procedures, the hair will gain strength, thickness and shine, and will stop falling out and splitting at the ends.

To combat scalp irritation and dandruff, use a mask of ground coffee, plantain and sandalwood essential oil. Brew two tablespoons of plantain leaves with boiling water, leave for a little while and strain. Add 50g of ground coffee to the broth (you can use coffee cake), mix thoroughly.

Add 2-3 drops of sandalwood oil to the resulting mixture. The mask should be thoroughly rubbed into the scalp with massage movements, and then insulate the head to achieve maximum effect. This procedure will speed up the blood, make the hair follicles function more intensively, and relieve the hair roots of excess oil.

Facial skin care

Sandalwood essential oil is a real elixir of youth. Its use will significantly reduce the “crow’s feet” around the eyes, keep the skin toned, make it smooth and elastic. It can also be used for problem skin, it will only benefit it. Sandalwood oil contains antiseptic substances, which allows it to fight acne and inflammation. To do this, simply apply essential oil directly to problem areas.

By mixing sandalwood oil with other ingredients, you can prepare rejuvenating masks for aging, tired skin. For example, an excellent mask is prepared based on cosmetic jojoba oil and blue clay. After mixing the main components, add 3-4 drops of sandalwood, geranium, primrose and lime oil.

Using sandalwood essential oil on your face, you can tighten your contours and visibly rejuvenate aging skin.

When buying sandalwood essential oil, you should remember that it cannot be cheap. You can check the naturalness of an essential oil by dropping it on paper: the real ether evaporates without leaving any traces. The smell of natural essential oil cannot be sharp, and the consistency must be uniform and not contain noticeable inclusions.

Sandalwood oil has been known since ancient Egypt

• Sandalwood oil is obtained from the evergreen sandalwood tree, which grows in the highlands of South Asia, mainly in India. Its production has been known for thousands of years
• In India and other countries, sandalwood oil was used for religious, cosmetic and medical purposes. Sandalwood itself and the oil from it are distinguished by a persistent, specific aroma that cannot be confused with any other
• The consistency of this oil is quite dense, and the color is yellowish without impurities. Oil is obtained from tree wood and from its roots using steam technology
• Sandalwood shavings are prepared, soaked for several days, and then the process of evaporating the essential oil follows. A ton of raw material produces 100 kg of sandalwood oil

The pleasant aroma of sandalwood oil cannot be confused with anything.

Sandalwood oil for hair

Thanks to sandalwood oil, hair will stop falling out, become stronger, begin to grow better, and dandruff will disappear.

Sandalwood oil strengthens hair and stimulates its growth.

Ways to use sandalwood oil for hair:

• add to shampoo or hair conditioner (4 drops per 20 g)
• drop oil onto a comb and comb your hair, starting from the roots

Along with your hair, if you use sandalwood oil, your nails will also become stronger.

To improve the appearance of your hair, just add a couple of drops of sandalwood oil to your comb.

Aromatherapy

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

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

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

Aromatherapy with sandalwood oil has a calming and relaxing effect

Sandalwood oil for facial skin against acne

Sandalwood oil for the face is used if:

• oily skin
• have acne
• there are pigment spots on the skin
• it is necessary to nourish the skin around the eyes
• improve skin elasticity, smooth out wrinkles a little

Sandalwood essential oil will help get rid of acne

IMPORTANT: You can also use sandalwood oil to soothe and moisturize the skin, for example, after shaving; relieve inflammation or cure eczema.

How to use sandalwood oil for facial skin care:

1. Add 1 drop of oil to the lotion or cream you use daily
2. If your facial skin is oily, make a compress of 2 tablespoons. spoons of almond oil and 4 drops. sandalwood oil. Mix the mixture well, soak a bandage or gauze in it and apply it to your face. Keep the compress for 10 minutes, then wash with water at room temperature
3. You can use the following recipe as an aftershave lotion. Add sandalwood oil to any vegetable oil sterilized in a water bath. Let's remember the proportion - 20 ml of vegetable oil and 4 drops of essential sandalwood oil
4. A combination of sandalwood (1 drop) and rose (2 drops), or sandalwood (2 drops) and neroli (1 drop) oils will help smooth out the network of wrinkles under the eyes and remove swelling from the eyelids.
5. A mixture of 10 drops of sandalwood oil and 10 ml of jojoba oil or avocado oil will help smooth and even out the skin of the face, moisturize and remove dryness from the lips.

You can use sandalwood oil as one of the components of a nourishing or moisturizing mask.
RECIPE: Face mask for acne The preparation is prepared from the following ingredients:

• jojoba oil
• cosmetic milk (one and a half teaspoons)
• cosmetic clay (1 teaspoon)
• sandalwood oil (2 drops)

Mix everything and apply on face for 15 – 20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can use a cotton swab to apply sandalwood oil to acne-affected areas of the face. This way, pimples will disappear and new ones will not appear.

RECIPE: Mask for daily care Every day you can make a mask from egg yolk with sandalwood oil added to it (2 drops).
The skin of the face will be cleansed, tightened and smoothed. Instead of egg yolk, you can use a mixture of 20 ml olive oil and 2 drops sandalwood, which are mixed to apply on the skin daily. After 7 - 10 minutes. Remaining oils should be removed with a damp cloth.

Natural antiseptic

Adding sandalwood oil to the aroma lamp (at the rate of 7 drops per 15-20 sq. m) perfectly disinfects the room, and hot inhalations (3 drops of precious ether per glass of hot water) for respiratory diseases successfully suppress the development of infections.

The therapeutic effectiveness of sandalwood has been confirmed against:

• Types I and II of the herpes virus;
• Staphylococcus aureus;
• fungus Candida albicans;
• Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• influenza A H3N2 virus.

But these are only those pathogens for which clinical studies have been conducted. Meanwhile, the thousand-year experience of using sandalwood in traditional oriental medicine indicates a much wider range of its antimicrobial activity. Thus, the use of sandalwood oil is effective for all infectious processes: it is taken internally by diluting a few drops in half a glass of warmed milk, and external use involves lotions, applications, rubbing, and massage. Moreover, sandalwood oil demonstrates effectiveness even where synthetic antibiotics, to which microbes have developed resistance, “do not work.” For example, a targeted effect in laboratory conditions of sandalwood oil on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which is immune to methicillin, and on fungi of the genus Candida, has proven its ability to suppress the viability of these microorganisms. And similar experiments regarding the herpes virus showed a decrease in the rate of its spread by 95-99%. Let us remind you: the complete destruction of this virus in the body at the current stage of medical development is impossible, and the fight against it comes down only to the maximum containment of its vital activity. As you can see, natural sandalwood oil is very effective in this case.

Sandalwood oil for massage

Massage with sandalwood oil creates a multifaceted effect to improve skin condition, strengthen small blood vessels, and relax nerves. For the massage mixture, you will need to dissolve 5 drops of sandalwood oil in milk, honey or in the base massage mass.

Sandalwood oil massage is a more than pleasant procedure

RECIPE: Massage with aphrodisiac oil To activate sexual desire through massage, prepare a cocktail of several essential oils on any odorless base. For example, the following oils go well together:

• sandalwood (3 drops) + mint, bergamot and neroli oils (2 drops each of mint and bergamot and 4 drops of neroli)
• sandalwood (2 drops) + ylang-ylang (3 drops) + patchouli (1 drop)
• sandalwood (1 drop) + bergamot (1 drop) + rose (2 drops) + jasmine (1 drop)

Antitumor agent

There are not many sufficiently strong bioactive substances in nature that can prevent the growth of cancer cells. α-santalol contained in oil is one of them. Clinical trials have been conducted repeatedly, which have confirmed the effectiveness of sandalwood oil in the fight against skin cancer and benign neoplasms (references 1, 2). Thus, the results of experiments in 1997 on rodents (chemically induced skin cancer, local exposure to sandalwood oil) showed a reduction in tumor growth by 97%, a reduction in their number by 67%, and suppression of the activity of oncoenzymes by 70%. In 1999, it was also found that pre-application of sandalwood oil to the skin increases its resistance (compared to untreated experimental subjects) to subsequent exposure to carcinogens. In 2020, α-santalol’s ability to inhibit the development of cancer cells and even destroy them was further confirmed.

The effectiveness of sandalwood oil in the treatment of warts and other viral tumors, papillomavirus, has also been proven.

Contraindications

Sandalwood oil is always used as one of the components of any cosmetic product. It cannot be used in its pure form.

There are also cases of individual intolerance, so before using cosmetic products it is important to test for an allergic reaction.

Despite the extensive list of beneficial properties of sandalwood, if kidney function is impaired, the course of the disease may worsen. Therefore, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy or any renal failure.