Description

Santalum Album Plant Material, commonly known as Sandalwood, is derived from various parts of the Santalum album tree, including its wood, bark, leaves, and roots. This material is highly valued in the cosmetic and personal care industry for its aromatic, soothing, and skin-beneficial properties, making it a versatile component in a wide range of products.

Chemical Composition and Structure
Sandalwood plant material contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including essential oils, santalols, sesquiterpenes, and phenolic acids. These compounds contribute to its beneficial effects on the skin and overall health. The specific composition includes:

Essential Oils: Known for their soothing and aromatic properties.
Santalols: Provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.
Sesquiterpenes: Offer calming and skin-soothing properties.
Phenolic Acids: Provide antioxidant protection.
Physical Properties
Sandalwood plant material typically appears as a pale yellow to dark brown wood, bark, or powder. The essential oil derived from this plant is clear to slightly yellow with a rich, woody aroma. It is oil-soluble, making it easy to incorporate into various oil-based cosmetic formulations.

Cosmetic and Personal Care Applications
Fragrance: Sandalwood is widely used in perfumes and aromatic products for its distinctive, long-lasting woody scent.

Soothing: Sandalwood plant material is used in skincare products for its soothing properties. It helps to calm irritated and sensitive skin, providing relief and comfort.

Anti-Inflammatory: The presence of santalols and sesquiterpenes offers anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to reduce redness and swelling, making it suitable for sensitive or reactive skin.

Antioxidant: The phenolic acids provide antioxidant benefits, protecting the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors.

Moisturizing: Sandalwood helps to maintain the skin's moisture balance, preventing dryness and keeping the skin soft and supple.

Anti-Aging: Due to its antioxidant properties, Sandalwood helps to combat signs of aging by protecting the skin from oxidative stress and promoting a youthful appearance.

Hair Care: In hair care products, Sandalwood helps to nourish the scalp, reduce dandruff, and enhance the shine and smoothness of the hair.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sandalwood plant material is generally considered safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products. It is non-irritating and suitable for all skin types. Sustainable sourcing of Sandalwood is crucial to prevent over-harvesting and ensure environmental conservation. As a natural and biodegradable ingredient, it poses minimal risk to the environment when disposed of properly. However, it is important to use it within the recommended guidelines to ensure product safety and efficacy.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 84787-70-2 EC number 284-111-1