Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its purported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, as well as its characteristic fragrance. It is sometimes incorporated for skin-soothing or aromatic purposes, though robust clinical evidence is limited.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Sandalwood oil/extract is a recognized contact allergen and can cause sensitization in predisposed individuals. |
Skin irritation | Uncommon | Redness, itching, or burning, particularly at higher concentrations or on compromised skin. |
Photosensitivity/photoallergic reaction | Rare | Fragrance components may rarely trigger sun-related reactions. |
Pigmentation changes | Rare | Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation reported following allergic dermatitis to sandalwood. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.