Three reasons you should be wearing a sandalwood fragrance

Have you ever wondered what sandalwood is? Knowing the benefits of different notes and how they affect our mood can help when trying to decide on what perfumes to buy, or even which ones to spritz in the morning.

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What is sandalwood?

Sandalwood oil is obtained from the highly fragrant wood of sandalwood trees. It has long been a part of religious and spiritual traditions, used in aromatherapy, and as incense in temples. Now, it is widely used as a base note in perfumes, but also as an ingredient in candles, diffusers and soaps.

The woody scent is lovely, but there’s a few extra benefits that are good to know:

#1: It's strong

Sandalwood tends to be used as a base note in perfumes because of its strength. How long your perfume lasts is largely determined by the type of fragrance it is, but the type of notes used also play a part. The strength of sandalwood makes it one of the more long-lasting perfume notes.

#2: It's versatile

Generally, woody notes tend to blend well with everything. But Jennifer Hardaway, California-based scent blender, told The Perfume Magazine that sandalwood "can be very versatile". So if you like to layer your fragrances (or even make your own), keep sandalwood in mind. Jennifer suggested blending it with vanilla for an intoxicating mix. Time to get layering, beauties!

#3: It can be good for your mind

Sandalwood is used regularly in aromatherapy. In a 2006 pilot study undertaken by Thames Valley University, palliative care patients received massages with different oils. While statistics couldn't be drawn from the small sample, the results were encouraging and supported the view that sandalwood oil may help in reducing anxiety. Research reported in Planta Medica also found that participants who experienced aromatherapy with East Indian sandalwood oil had increased alertness. So it can keep you calm and attentive!

Fancy a whiff of sandalwood now? We know plenty of great sandalwood-scented goodies!

bh loves: Lancôme Trésor Eau de Toilette, Jo Malone London Orris & Sandalwood Cologne Intense, Avon Instinct, Sandalwood Australian Pure Essential Oil and A'kin Sandalwood Body Wash.

Do you like the smell of sandalwood? What is your favourite perfume note?

71 Member Comments

BeautySwan88 3 Jan 2021 1:35 PM

Good for my mind? Now I really want to have it.

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Beanbury 23 Jun 2020 1:56 PM

Sandalwood is remarkably calming and conjours up images of temples and ponds for me. I do prefer it in incense form though as it can be overwhelming in the heat.

Yohanna 14 Jun 2020 6:27 PM

Only as a very subtle base, but not dominating. Some those perfumes listed like Lancome (most of them) smell "old"

Jay.dogga1986 14 May 2020 5:18 PM

...it's sickening

Rose_P 21 Aug 2019 5:30 PM

I love the scent of Sandalwood. I used to have a bottle of Lancôme Tresor but I used it all. I often use Sandalwood based essential oil blends in my diffuser.

angie_robyn 27 Jun 2019 5:29 PM

Sandalwood is amazing. I want to buy the essential oil.

Peach perfect 3 Jun 2019 1:46 PM

Never needed any convincing about sandwood anything but now I have three solid reaos to explain if anyone ever asked ;)

Arty Girl 7 Jul 2018 5:24 PM

I love the fragrance of sandalwood so much that I own a pure Sandalwood Body Splash and 3 fragrances incorporating sandalwood into the mix from Mt Romance, the Sandalwood Factory here in WA. I was disappointed the last time I visited the Sandalwood Factory recently because now they only have one Men's fragrance and one Women's fragrance available.

neha.gamine 5 Jul 2018 3:16 PM

I love sandalwood fragrances, a sandalwood mask is also great for your face in summers as it has cooling properties.

Trish_D 2 Jul 2018 5:14 PM

I absolutely love sandalwood.

You beauty 29 Jun 2018 8:54 PM

Oh I love sandal wood, one of the best woody scent.

clearcrystalwater 29 Jun 2018 1:40 PM

Sandalwood is bliss. I have some Australian Sandalwood from In Essence which I use in a diffuser.

Popsicle 20 Jun 2018 4:30 PM

Love sandalwood incense. .

AP1992 3 Jun 2018 8:58 PM

Love sandlewood in my house

Zanna B 30 Mar 2018 8:36 PM

Sandlewood usually reminds me of burning incense.

Chicklet 3 Mar 2018 11:52 PM

I love the scent of sandlewood although I tend to come across it and use it more in soaps than perfumes.

Laura M 6 Feb 2018 5:02 PM

My dad is obsessed with sandalwood soap. That's great and all but it's all I think of when I smell sandalwood perfume and low key I don't want to smell like my dad.

Jessica712 29 Nov 2017 9:30 PM

I like the scent, now anther excuse to wear it :)

BeeAy 18 Nov 2017 11:02 PM

I love the scent of sandalwood, it smells both sexy and meditative. I love using a sandalwood incense or diffuser for my home. Unfortunately, I haven't found a sandalwood perfume that I love on myself. Guerlain's Shalimar smells heavenly on my mum, but I feel it's too mature for me. I'll continue the hunt, although I suspect I may have to start sniffing at men's fragrances to find one that I might love.

shannonkrueger 14 Nov 2017 2:06 PM

I love sandalwood in the home, but would never wear as a perfume. Too incency!!

Jenniqua 13 Nov 2017 3:05 PM

I am a perfume addict, I love the smell of everything.

Tigerlily 13 Nov 2017 3:00 PM

I'm not quite sure I know what sandlewood smells like...! Time to go for a sniff at the perfume counters

ThisIsMe 13 Nov 2017 1:37 PM

I don't know what it smells like at all- haven't tried any of the mentioned perfumes

LassAilsa 12 Nov 2017 2:30 PM

Love love love Sandalwood. One of my most favourite scents!

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Petal 12 Nov 2017 12:32 PM

Lancôme Trésor is one of my most favourite scents. I have a skin chemistry where perfumes are very faint, fade quickly and/or smell like a generic scent. Although Trésor is not as strong as I'd prefer on my skin, it is still noticeable enough for me to enjoy it.

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