The sandalwood tree is part of the Santalaceae family and is often called East Indian sandalwood. A type of evergreen hemiparasite in nature that requires root systems belonging to other trees to join together in order to grow. Sandalwood heartwood is used to obtain sandalwood essential oil. For more than four thousand years, sandalwood oil has been used by people and industries to prepare cosmetics and fragrances due to its truly exotic aroma. Additionally, the oil has been widely used for spiritual, meditation, and personal care purposes. The extraction of the oil is done with the help of steam distillation of mature wood. Sandalwood trees between 40 and 80 years old are used in most cases. Generally, the older a tree is, the more oil it can produce. Also, older trees can produce oil with a better aroma compared to younger trees.
Benefits of sandalwood oil for the skin
1.Antiseptic properties
Sandalwood oil can act as a reliable antiseptic, giving you the option of applying it both externally and internally. It can protect your ulcers and internal wounds from getting infected. It can also protect boils, sores, pimples, and other skin conditions from becoming infected.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Sandalwood essential oil can provide a kind of cooling and relieving effect when it comes to digestive, circulatory, nervous, excretory, and brain inflammation. In most cases, such inflammations occur as a result of side effects of antibiotics, wounds, poisoning, insect bites, fever, and infections.
3.Astringent properties
The essential oil can induce contraction of the gums, skin, and muscles, and therefore can be used for tighter skin and better muscle strength.
4.Deodorizing properties
The oil can also be used to remove bad body odor.
5. Disinfectant properties
Sandalwood essential oil is used in many sprays, evaporators, sanitizers, sticks, and fumigants due to its ability to keep small insects and microbes away by its scent.
6.Emollient properties
The oil can also relieve inflammation, reduce irritation, heal infections, soothe the skin, and promote a cool, refreshing effect.
How to use sandalwood oil for skin
1. Massage
Add 3 drops of sandalwood oil to a teaspoon of your favorite skin care oil and massage the area. You can make your massage more sensual by including a drop of rose or jasmine.
2. Facial Rejuvenation
To reduce dry skin on your face, you can mix 8 drops of sandalwood oil, 4 drops of germanium oil, and one ounce of good skin care oil, and apply the mixture.
3. Glowing skin
Skin radiance can be enhanced by putting a drop or two of the oil in your moisturizer.
4. Relaxation bath
Take several drops of the oil and massage it on the back of your neck and temple to have a calming effect on your mind. You can also add a few drops of the oil to warm bath water.
5. Compression effect
To help your dry or flushed skin hydrate and cool down, apply a warm sandalwood compress to it.