The Benefits of Indian Sandalwood for Skin

SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS + ANCIENT TRADITIONS

For millennia, Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) has occupied a sacred position in the annals of skincare. 

Advances in dermatological research have begun to unravel the complex biochemical interactions underlying Indian sandalwood’s ancient reputation as a skincare saviour. 

In vivo and in vitro testing have revealed that the bioactive constituents of Indian sandalwood oil, particularly alpha santalols, exert potent benefits for the skin and beyond. 

These benefits include significant anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antioxidative, antimicrobial, and astringent properties, for radiant, bright, and optimally healthy skin.

Heartwood enjoys the rare privilege of integrating Indian sandalwood into all of our skincare formulations. By growing, harvesting, and distilling sandalwood, we not only ensure the purity of our products but also address the critical conservation challenges faced by sandalwood in its native region of India, where the species is nearly extinct in the wild. 

Our commitment to sustainable practices allows Heartwood to provide a product that is ecologically responsible, backed by science and rooted in tradition.

Heartwood’s proprietary face oil skincare formulas are tested by an independent laboratory in the UK using 55 test subjects over 2 months and are:

• Dermatologically Approved
• Clinically Tested
• Kind to Skin
• Safe for Sensitive Skin

INDIAN SANDALWOOD SKINCARE BENEFITS 

1. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

| CALMS INFLAMMATION + REDNESS |

Science is now proving what Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have known for centuries: sandalwood's ability to cool, calm, and soothe the skin. When tested on skin cells in a 2021 study, Indian sandalwood oil demonstrated that it could help reduce inflammation by blocking certain cellular pathways that lead to skin irritation and aging. Specifically, it was found to inhibit the activation and movement of a protein complex known as NF-κB, which is involved in triggering the body's inflammatory response. Its naturally anti-inflammatory properties make sandalwood a godsend for inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, eczema, atopic-dermatitis and psoriasis. 

2. ANTI-TYROSINASE

| BREAKS DOWN HYPERPIGMENTATION |

The sesquiterpene α-santalol, a key component of sandalwood oil, is an effective natural inhibitor of the enzyme tyrosinase, which plays a central role in the production of melanin, the group of molecules responsible for pigmentation of skin. 

Due to its abundance of alpha santalol, Indian sandalwood is scientifically proven to be an effective agent in regulating melanogenesis, the production of melanin. In optimal doses, Indian sandalwood can be used to minimise and even out almost all forms of melanin overproduction from hyperpigmentation to dark spots, helping to achieve a naturally even skin tone.

3. PRESERVES SKIN ELASTICITY

| SLOWS DOWN THE DEGENERATION OF COLLAGEN |

Indian sandalwood oil is proven through in vitro testing to preserve skin elasticity by inhibiting the activity of collagen-degrading enzymes. 

Additionally, Indian sandalwood has been found to reduce levels of collagenase (MMP-1), an enzyme that breaks down collagen and contributes to skin aging.

4. ANTI-OXIDATIVE

| PREVENTS PREMATURE AGING BY SHIELDING THE SKIN FROM OXIDATIVE STRESS |

When tested on human skin cells and tissues exposed to blue light and cigarette smoke, sandalwood oil outperformed even vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) in its ability to protect and rejuvenate the skin. In optimal doses, Indian sandalwood is proven to be effective at scavenging harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), shielding the epidermis from premature aging. 

5. ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE

| IMPROVES HEALTHY SKIN CELL TURNOVER |

When tested on human skin at low concentrations, Indian sandalwood oil has been proven to help eliminate damaged skin cells, preventing them from turning into pre-cancerous spots like actinic keratosis. By killing off old and damaged skin cells, Indian sandalwood oil allows for the regeneration of new, healthy skin cells, resulting in younger and brighter looking skin.

Recent studies have revealed that Indian sandalwood oil can halt the growth of skin cells and reduce the harmful effects of UV exposure, both key factors in preventing skin cancer. Unlike many other protective agents, Indian sandalwood oil works without disrupting essential cellular processes, making it a gentle yet effective option for skin health.

6. ASTRINGENT

| SHRINKS PORES + FINE LINES |

The astringent effect of sandalwood oil likely stems from its ability to interact with proteins in the skin, leading to a tightening effect. The bioactive compounds in sandalwood oil also help to improve overall skin texture, contributing to the appearance of smaller pores and reduced fine lines.

7. ANTISEPTIC

| TREATS + PREVENTS BREAKOUTS |

Due to its abundance of alpha santalol compounds, Indian sandalwood oil has been proven to be a safe antiseptic agent. It can help to protect the skin from bacteria, fungus, yeast, and parasites whilst reducing inflammation, making it an ideal treatment for acne, enlarged pores, congestion, and break-out prone skin. 

REFERENCES

1. Bommareddy, A., Phan, L., Hawa, Z., Eggert, C., Clemente, C., Vanwert, A., Schobert, R., Zhang, X. and van Breemen, R., 2021. Effect of sandalwood oil on inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through down-regulation of the nuclear factor-kB signaling pathways. *ResearchGate*. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

2. Badmos, B.K., Kumalo, H.M. and Abraham, O., 2021. Structure-Based Identification of Drug Candidates Targeting Mycolic Acid Transporter in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. In: L. Macedo, H. Kumalo and A. Maruta, eds. *Mycobacterial Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics*. Singapore: Springer. pp. 103-128. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

3. Ali, I., Meitei, K.V., Dixit, S., Athar, M. and Mani, D., 2018. Discovery of anti-cancer lead molecules from natural sources. *Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine*, 9(3), pp.215-226. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

4. Miglani, S., Negi, S., Munjal, M. and Kumar, B., 2021. Santalum album L.: A Review on Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology. *Cosmetics*, 8(2), p.53. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

5. Jang, D.S., Park, E.J., Hawthorne, M.E., Vigo, J.S., Graham, J.G., Cabieses, F. and Farnsworth, N.R., 2014. Potential of Anthocyanins from Grape Seed to Mediate Bioactivities Relevant to Cancer. *Planta Medica*, 80(11), pp. 916-924. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

6. Verma, S., Singh, A., Bhardwaj, A., Anand, A., Sharma, P., Chaudhary, H., Tiwari, P. and Singh, B., 2017. Molecular insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of anthocyanins and their implications for cancer prevention. *Journal of Translational Medicine*, 15, Article no. 156. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].

7. Pradhan, S., Mishra, D.P., Pradhan, S. and Dash, A., 2018. Analysis of genetic diversity in Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) using RAPD and ISSR markers. *Plant Archives*, 18(1), pp.1048-1056. Available here [Accessed 16 Aug. 2024].