Why is sandalwood such an important ingredient in Indian skincare?

Most people will remember their grandmothers suggesting that they cover themselves in yellow sandalwood paste in the throes of summer to soothe skin in the hot weather and to even out skin tone. Famed for both its woody, intense scent and its long-revered healing benefits, sandalwood has made its way into countless at-home skincare recipes and high-end Ayurvedic formulas. Used as a powder, paste or oil, sandalwood is a powerful antiseptic, emollient and anti-inflammatory agent that can benefit your skin in myriad ways. Here’s why you need to bring it back to your skincare routine.

How you can use sandalwood to fight acne and even out skin tone

In the form of oil or powder, sandalwood is able to sooth inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, as well as calm irritated skin and flatten breakouts. In Ayurvedic texts, it is known to relieve the pitta dosha, which means that it has cooling properties. It is an astringent, which means it can induce minor contractions in the soft tissue, therefore soothing and tightening skin and reducing the appearance of pores. This is why it is an important ingredient in aftershaves too. Sandalwood’s antiseptic properties also help reduce infection in areas hosting pimples, cuts or superficial wounds, while its anti-microbial nature aids in keeping the skin clean. Moreover, it has a drying effect, so when sandalwood paste is applied to a red, inflamed zit, it can dry out and heal faster—making sandalwood a great oil or face mask ingredient for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin. Plus, sandalwood helps to sooth a sunburn and brightens skin due to its mild exfoliating properties as well. A painful sunburn or prickly heat can be quickly cooled down by applying sandalwood paste on it.

What to keep in mind while including sandalwood in your everyday beauty routine

While sandalwood can be used on all skin types, it can cause irritation to super sensitive skin. Make sure to do a patch test to check for an allergic reaction before applying on inflamed areas. Despite being a mild ingredient, sandalwood oil should be mixed with a carrier oil and diluted before use—rosehip oil, almond oil or evening primrose oil are best for this. It is important to note that most dermatologists do not suggest mixing sandalwood oil with another aromatherapy-based oil like lavender or bergamot, as that can cause irritation.

How to add the benefits of sandalwood to your skincare routine

Sandalwood oil or paste can be used in a face mask for different concerns. For dry skin, mix sandalwood paste with honey to make a hydrating mask. If you’re struggling with an excessive tan, mix sandalwood paste with cucumber, lemon and yogurt and apply liberally. The light exfoliating properties help to lift off the tan, as well as dark marks or scars. For oily, acne-prone skin, mix sandalwood paste with turmeric and rose water to create a wet mask that hardens upon drying. The anti-inflammatory properties of both turmeric and sandalwood lessen the redness and irritation on the skin.

If you don’t want to do the hard work yourself, and want the benefits of sandalwood presented to you in a jar, the Forest Essentials Facial Treatment Mysore Sandalwood and Nagsekar Nourishing Mask harnesses the ingredient’s antiseptic qualities and combines it with the exfoliating properties of clay to thoroughly cleanse and slough off dead skin cells. If enhancing luminosity is your main concern, the Uma Ultimate Brightening Rose Toner employs sandalwood oil to boost brightness, while rose oil acts as as astringent and papaya enzymes work to clear out grime from the pores. Decant the formula onto a cotton pad and apply making circular motions on the face to leave skin visibly radiant. You can also add sandalwood to your regular wash-and-go routine by opting for the Kama Ayurveda Red Sandalwood Ayurvedic Soap for your face and body. The bar soap is chock-full of red sandalwood oil to lighten a tan, fight hyperpigmentation and remove dark marks and scars. The Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin as it has aloe vera, green tea and sandalwood to deep cleanse, while protecting your skin from free radicals. And considering sandalwood acts as a natural shield to sunburn, its soothing properties can be harnessed via the Biotique Bio Sandalwood Ultra Soothing Face Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen to safeguard your skin.

Scroll through the gallery below for our edit of the best beauty products you can use to add sandalwood to your daily skincare routine.

Also read:

6 DIY face masks you can try at home if you have acne-prone skin

The skincare oil that is actually amazing for greasy and acne-prone skin

Why multani mitti deserves the skincare hype it gets from your mother