One of the most precious woods in the world, which only smells once it has aged — its scent needs decades to mature inside the trunk.

What is sandalwood?

Sandalwood is the fragrant wood of trees of the genus Santalum. The most famous is Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), a small, semi-parasitic tree that draws part of its nourishment from the roots of neighbouring plants. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the heartwood and roots of trees at least 15–30 years old. It consists mainly of alpha- and beta-santalol, which give it its warm, creamy, woody scent, and it is one of the most stable and long-lasting scents in perfumery.

What are the benefits of sandalwood?

Sandalwood is both a scent and a gentle care ingredient. Applied topically it:

• Scents with a warm, velvety, woody note
• Gives a feeling of calm and relaxation
• Has a mild softening, soothing action
• Suits every skin type, sensitive skin included
• Its scent lingers long on the skin

The wood of temples

In India sandalwood has been used for 4,000 years in religious ceremonies, as incense and as a paste on the forehead, while temples, boxes and fans were carved from its wood so that they would scent the space forever. Huge demand led to over-exploitation, and Indian sandalwood is a protected species today; most legal sandalwood now comes from managed plantations.

Where does it come from?

Santalum album originates in southern India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) and Indonesia. Today most commercial sandalwood is grown on plantations in northern and western Australia, which also has its own native species, Santalum spicatum.