sandalwood
Woody Family
A rich, creamy, and exotic base note with a deep, woody character.
moderate
very long
0 fragrances
Woody
Olfactory Profile
About sandalwood
Sandalwood is a highly valued perfume ingredient known for its distinctive soft, warm, smooth, creamy, and milky precious-wood scent. It comes from the wood and roots of the Santalum tree, native to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Sandalwood is renowned for its long-lasting properties and has been used in perfumery for centuries, both for its own scent and as a fixative to enhance other fragrances. Its rarity and the difficulty of harvesting have made it an expensive ingredient, leading to the development of synthetic alternatives.
Natural Sources
- •Santalum album (Indian Sandalwood)
- •Santalum spicatum (Australian Sandalwood)
Synthetic Alternatives
Due to over-harvesting and sustainability concerns, synthetic versions of sandalwood, such as Sandalore and Ebanol, have been developed. These alternatives aim to replicate the scent of natural sandalwood and are used widely in the fragrance industry.
Perfumer's Tips
Sandalwood serves as an excellent base note, providing depth and warmth to a fragrance. It is often used in oriental, woody, and chypre fragrances. Due to its intensity and longevity, it should be used sparingly. Sandalwood's creamy aspect can help blend and smooth out sharp notes.