Santalum Album (sandalwood) is an aromatic plant extract or essential oil derived from sandalwood, used in skincare for its fragrance and purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is most commonly included for scent and traditional soothing applications rather than as a clinically validated active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Sandalwood oil contains sensitizing constituents that can trigger delayed hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals. |
Skin irritation or redness | Uncommon | Essential oil forms may cause irritation, especially at higher concentrations or on sensitive skin. |
Photosensitivity | Rare | Some reports suggest fragrance components may increase sensitivity to sunlight. |
Contact urticaria | Rare | Immediate hive-like reactions have been occasionally documented with fragrance materials. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.