(Santalum austrocaledonicum · INCI: Santalum Austrocaledonicum Oil)
Natural aromatic · Warm, grounding woods · Part of our Neroli & Sandalwood scent · Responsibly sourced New Caledonian sandalwood
4 min read · The aromatic base note of the scented Bio-Lipid Concentrate
Sandalwood for menopausal skin is the grounding counterweight to neroli's lift. Warm, creamy and quietly woody, sandalwood is one of the oldest and most revered aromatic materials in the world, used in ritual and meditation across cultures for thousands of years. It is the base note of our Neroli and Sandalwood scent, the depth beneath the brightness.
Why a grounding scent completes the ritual
If neroli is the moment of lift, sandalwood is the moment of settle. Its warm, meditative aroma has been associated for millennia with stillness and calm, which is why it has anchored contemplative practice across many cultures. In the scented Bio-Lipid, it gives the fragrance its lingering, grounding depth, turning application into not just a lift but a pause.
What sandalwood brings
- A warm, woody depth: creamy, soft and grounding, the base of the scent.
- A sense of calm: long associated in tradition with stillness and meditation.
- Lasting character: a base note that lingers gently on the skin.
- Naturally derived fragrance: a genuine botanical essence, not a synthetic imitation.
Where it comes from, and why it matters
Sandalwood carries a real responsibility, and this is where our choice of species matters. The most famous sandalwood, Indian Santalum album, has been so prized that wild trees were over-harvested for generations, leaving that species vulnerable. We deliberately use a different sandalwood: Santalum austrocaledonicum, the sandalwood of New Caledonia in the South Pacific, where harvesting is managed and regulated. Choosing New Caledonian sandalwood lets us offer the warmth and depth of a true sandalwood while stepping away from the pressure on the endangered Indian species. It is a small, deliberate decision in favour of a material worth protecting.
A note on scent and sensitivity
Sandalwood is a natural essential oil, and natural aromatics can occasionally sensitise very reactive skin. We use it at a considered level, and recommend a patch test if your skin is especially reactive. As with neroli, this is why the Bio-Lipid Concentrate is also offered unscented, so fragrance-free is always a choice.
Ingredient profile
- INCI: Santalum Austrocaledonicum Oil
- Common name: New Caledonian sandalwood oil
- Character: warm, creamy, grounding woods
- Role: natural aromatic, the base note of our Neroli and Sandalwood scent
- Sourcing: responsibly sourced New Caledonian sandalwood, a managed alternative to endangered Indian sandalwood
- In Philogeni: in the scented Bio-Lipid Concentrate
Featured in
Sandalwood is the base note of the scented Bio-Lipid Concentrate, paired with neroli. The same formula is also available unscented if you prefer fragrance-free.
Common questions
What does sandalwood smell like?
Warm, creamy and softly woody, grounding and calming rather than sharp, it gives the scent its lingering depth.
Which sandalwood do you use, and is it sustainable?
We use New Caledonian sandalwood, Santalum austrocaledonicum, harvested under management in the South Pacific. We chose it deliberately as a responsible alternative to Indian Santalum album, which has been over-harvested and is endangered.
Can sensitive skin use sandalwood?
Often, at the considered level we use, but natural aromatics can sensitise very reactive skin, so patch test first or choose the unscented version.
At a glance
- Common name: New Caledonian sandalwood oil
- INCI: Santalum Austrocaledonicum Oil
- Character: warm, grounding woods
- Cosmetic function: natural aromatic
- Sourcing: responsibly sourced, New Caledonia
- Found in: scented Bio-Lipid Concentrate
- Status: vegan, plant-derived
The grounding depth of the Philogeni ritual, sandalwood turns application into a pause, and we chose the species with the tree's future in mind. Explore the Bio-Lipid Concentrate.