We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

What Is Sandalwood Cream?

Marjorie McAtee
By Marjorie McAtee
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Sandalwood cream is a type of skin care lotion typically scented with the essential oil of sandalwood. Sandalwood is a type of evergreen tree native to Northern Australia, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, and Sri Lanka. The essential oil extracted from these trees has long been used as a fragrance, and is also believed to have medicinal value. Sandalwood cream is believed to have a number of skincare benefits. It can help moisturize skin, relieve itches, chapping, and rashes, and may also reduce the appearance of stretch marks, wrinkles, and acne. The fragrance of sandalwood is said to help soothe nervous tension and depressed mood while supporting cognitive function.

The fragrance derived from sandalwood has a wide range of applications in the food and fragrance industries. The essential oil of sandalwood is widely used as a food flavoring. The scent of sandalwood appears in fragrances, soaps, incense, and cosmetics. Sandalwood cream is popular in skin care for its beneficial properties.

The skin-care properties of sandalwood cream include moisturizing and exfoliating the skin. This type of cream is often recommended for chapped skin, or for dry, cracked skin. It can support nail health and relieve minor skin irritations. The oil is believed to be antiseptic in nature, and may help to prevent the occurrence of acne, along with various skin infections.

The scent of sandalwood is also important in aromatherapy. Applying sandalwood cream to the skin can help calm strained nerves and enhance mood. Sandalwood aromatherapy is believed to help treat stress, and may help improve mental focus and memory. Essential oil of sandalwood is considered a sedative, and has been used to treat mood disorders such as depression. It is generally considered good for excessive fearfulness, hyperactivity, and irritable mood.

Historians believe sandalwood, and the fragrant oil extracted from it, have been important commodities since at least 700 BCE. The wood and fragrance are believed to have been first exported from India, along with other commodities such as spices and ivory. Hindu religious practices have long included the use of sandalwood cream, paste, or essential oil. Essential oil of sandalwood is typically extracted from the heartwood of sandalwood trees through a distillation process, though the powdered heartwood itself has also been used as a fragrance and as a medicinal remedy.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By ddljohn — On Sep 11, 2014

I'm not very fond of the scent of sandalwood. Some people like it and find it relaxing. That's not the case with me. That's why I only use sandalwood cream when I really need it, that is, when my acne spots get bad and when my face becomes red.

Sandalwood cream is soothing and it calms my skin. My cream also contains turmeric which is a natural antiseptic. So it also fights the bacteria that cause acne. So I use sandalwood cream as a spot treatment or an all over cream to soothe my acne prone, oily skin when it gets bad.

By candyquilt — On Sep 10, 2014

My dad uses sandalwood shaving cream. He says it smells nice (apparently reminds him of the scent in the barbershop) and prevents redness and razor burn from shaving. I'm planning on getting him a couple of jars as a gift.

By stoneMason — On Sep 10, 2014

As far as I know sandalwood has cooling properties. I had read about it some time back. Some people in India apply sandalwood cream or paste to their forehead in very hot weather. Applying sandalwood paste to the forehead also has religious significance for Hindus. It is believed to help open the third eye and assist an individual in spiritual awakening.

Medically, applying sandalwood paste or cream to the forehead may help open up blocked sinuses and will be helpful to those with chronic sinus congestion. But it's important to use a sandalwood cream that has enough sandalwood oil. Some sandalwood lotions carry only a small amount of the oil despite carrying the name on the label. Such small amounts may not be helpful medically.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.