Sandalwood

A time-honored elixir scientifically proven to nourish your skin and soothe your soul.

here's the lowdown

What is sandalwood?

Sandalwood is a fragrant wood that comes from the sandalwood tree. There are 15+ types of sandalwood species around the globe, but Indian sandalwood (species name Santalum album) is the real VIP. Its history is nothing short of regal - back in 1798, the Sultan of Mysore declared it a "royal tree" to be grown exclusively for the elite.

Today, sandalwood is like the holy grail of luxury. It's super trendy and in crazy high demand. You can find it in all kinds of cool stuff like skincare, aromatherapy, and fancy fragrances.

The many uses of Sandalwood

Skincare

Sandalwood is a legit active skincare ingredient. Rumour has it beauty icon Cleopatra used sandalwood in her daily routine to maintain her royal radiance.

Finest Fragrances

Sandalwood’s soft, woody aroma is oh-so-inviting which is why some of the coolest brands use it in their fragrances. It's also a fixative which means it makes your fragrance last longer.

Aromatherapy

Sandalwood is like a mini vacation for your mind. Alpha santalol, which is sandalwood's main therapeutic compound, will help you find your inner zen.

Traditional Medicine

Sandalwood has been used for centuries in traditional medicine in India to treat skin ailments, and in China to restore the body’s thermal energy.

Liquid gold

Indian sandalwood oil is nothing short of a treasure. Often hailed as "liquid gold", this remarkable essential oil is the go-to for those seeking luxury and exclusivity. Through the meticulous process of steam distillation, the sweet-scented elixir is extracted from the core of the sandalwood tree, known as the heartwood. It is bursting with alpha- and beta-santalols (or sesquiterpenes), which are compounds that grant Indian sandalwood its enchanting woody fragrance and remarkable therapeutic benefits.

Sandalwood has been proven to:

Calm the mind

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Reduce signs of ageing

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Protect against damage caused by blue light and pollution

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About time we met's naturally brilliant oil with sandalwood oil and hibiscus seed oil

Soothe the skin

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Reduce the appearance of acne

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man with smooth skin using About time we met's sandalwood product due to its benefits

man who plants sandalwood, the conscious way

Plantation-grown, the conscious choice

Plantation-grown sandalwood means that the trees are intentionally planted and grown on a farm or designated area, instead of being harvested from the wild. It's more traceable and can have higher quality due to the controlled growing conditions. It is also a responsible alternative to wild-harvested sandalwood, reducing pressure on natural reserves and preserving the species for future generations.

Our Proof

Sandalwood isn't just your average natural ingredient – it's a powerhouse active with some serious research behind it.

sandalwood in its different forms because its not an average ingredient

A powerful antioxidant

In this study, sandalwood is proven to prevent damage to skin cells and maintain collagen.

Did you know that your skin is exposed to all sorts of stressors like pollution and blue light that can damage skin cells and age skin? Indian sandalwood can help prevent the damage and stop the production of an enzyme called MMP1 that breaks down collagen. Collagen is what gives your skin that plump and youthful look, so you definitely want to keep it around! And get this, sandalwood oil is even better than vitamin E when it comes to being an antioxidant.

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Calms the mind

This study focuses on the calming effects of applying sandalwood to the skin.

Sandalwood oil contains a key component called alpha-santalol that can help relax and calm your nervous system. Studies have shown that when you apply sandalwood oil topically to your skin, this component can work in a similar way to anti-anxiety medication by interacting with the receptors in your brain that regulate anxiety.

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Protects against blue light and pollution

A study on real people that shows sandalwood is more effective than Vitamin E in protecting skin against blue light and pollution.

A clinical study on human skin has shown that Indian sandalwood oil is a total powerhouse when it comes to protecting your skin against the stressors of modern life like pollution and blue light. And get this - it's effective at just 1% concentration! So don't need a heap of it to get the benefits. It works by protecting all layers of your skin from oxidative stress.

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Works on acne

This journal article summarises a few different studies that prove sandalwood’s efficacy in treating skin conditions.

A super interesting article from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology that talks about how Indian sandalwood oil can help treat skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, and eczema. The article references a bunch of different studies that show just how effective sandalwood oil can be for keeping your skin healthy and happy. And here's the best part - it's totally safe for your skin.

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Brightens and evens skin tone

According to this study, sandalwood oil is a potent inhibitor of tyrosinase, an enzyme that triggers melanin production.

When your skin is exposed to stressors like UV rays, it triggers the production of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which then leads to the production of melanin. And you know what melanin is responsible for? Your skin tone and any pesky blemishes or marks you might have. This study shows that sandalwood can block tyrosinase from activating melanin production, which keeps skin looking bright, clear, and even-toned.

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Soothes the skin

In this study sandalwood oil is shown to mimic the activity of popular anti-inflammatory ibuprofen.

Sandalwood is proven to help treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne, just like in Ayurvedic medicine. It can mimic the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs by inhibiting enzymes that trigger inflammation in the skin.

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