The history of sandalwood oil, whose remarkable properties have been known since ancient times, dates back over 4000 years. The range of applications for sandalwood oil is very broad. It is equally highly valued as an integral part of Buddhist and Hindu rituals, in medicine, and as a popular component in high-quality cosmetics and perfumery. Setting aside the mystical essence of sandalwood, let’s turn to the realities where sandalwood trees are national treasures, and sandalwood essential oil is one of the essential components of modern cosmetology and perfumery technologies. In perfumery and cosmetic applications, sandalwood oil is highly valued not only for its exotic, energetic, and simultaneously soothing aroma but also as a biologically active component of cosmetic products. Its wonderful properties have long been well known. It has a pronounced soothing and softening effect on inflammatory and allergic reactions and skin irritations, characterized by its antiseptic, bactericidal, and antifungal (antifungal) actions. It tones, moisturizes, and heals the skin, especially effective in products for dry, cracked, and degreased skin and in preparations for caring for delicate skin around the eyes. It relieves fatigue, emotional overload, increases male potency, and is effective in preventing the harmful effects of chemical factors and radiation.
The literature describes the preventive action of sandalwood oil (at a concentration of 5%) against skin papillomas. Sandalwood oil reduces the prevalence of papillomas by 67% and their quantity by 96%. Local application of 5% sandalwood oil not only significantly reduces the spread of papillomas but also protects the skin from their appearance for up to 5 weeks. Thus, there are exceptionally interesting prospects for the use of sandalwood oil in skin cancer prevention.
Sandalwood oil itself is very persistent; its shelf life is 3 years, and its aroma blends well with all floral and woody scents. Due to its high content of sesquiterpene alcohols, sandalwood oil slows down the evaporation of aromatic components and has long been used in cosmetics and perfumery to fix other scents.
An important aspect of using sandalwood oil in cosmetic and perfume formulations is its centuries-old proven safety and absence of restrictions on its use.
The value of sandalwood oil is determined by its high content of alpha- and beta-santalols, but different types of sandalwood differ in their content of other components (for example, farnesol, bisabolol, etc.).
Thanks to its high content of farnesol (5–10%), sandalwood has a particularly strong antimicrobial and antiseptic effect. This substance has long been known and widely studied. For example, in Dr. Stanzl, Dracogoco Report 4/1998, farnesol is described as a natural bacteriostatic agent effective against Propionibacterium ance, which is the source of many skin problems.
Another component, alpha-bisabolol, also present in high proportions (5–10%) in Santalum Spicatum, is known for its anti-inflammatory effect.
This gives reason to speak about the possibility of using sandalwood oil as an effective antibacterial component in various cosmetic products.
Another undoubtedly important aspect of using sandalwood oil, particularly Australian sandalwood oil, in cosmetics, is its potential for reducing the harmful effects of solar radiation and preventing cancerous skin conditions.
As is known, the effect of ultraviolet rays on human skin, especially in summer, can lead to its premature aging, dehydration, as well as to skin cancer. This effect is primarily due to the significant amount of farnesol and bisabolol. As noted above, bisabolol provides an anti-inflammatory effect, and farnesol, in addition to its antibacterial action, effectively prevents the growth of cancer cells, while having almost no effect on normal cells.
It has already been noted that sandalwood oil does not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. This allows it to be used in cosmetic products practically in its pure form.
Contraindications: There are none for high-quality sandalwood oil.
