Sandalwood face masks have become very popular recently. But what is it? And who should use it?

If you’re looking for a natural alternative to replace a handful of your beauty products, sandalwood might be for you. It cleanses, moisturizes, and tones.

Have you tried Aztek Indian clay masks? They are great for cleansing your Skin, and preventing acne. The combination of clay and apple cider vinegar works wonders, but for some it just leaves their skin dry. If that’s you, a sandalwood face mask might be the solution you’re looking for.

Or maybe you have really sensitive skin, and you need a gentle mask. One that will exfoliate, or treat acne, but not be harsh on the skin. Sandalwood masks fit all of these criteria. 

Unlike the essential oil version, Sandalwood powder and face masks are actually very affordable. For less than $20 you can purchase enough to last month (and possibly more); making this a very good option for even budget-minded people. 

But how does it work? And how?

Let’s take a look at the characteristics and properties of sandalwood, and find out what makes it effective:

Where it comes from

True Sandalwood is a tree found in India, Nepal, Southeastern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. The sandalwood that we use is the wood from the plant. In India, where Sandalwood use is widespread, it is known as Chandan.

There are two common uses of sandalwood for beauty purposes; oil and powder. Sandalwood oil is distilled by steaming the roots of the tree. A sandalwood tree has to mature for 80 years preferably, but at least a minimum of 40 years, before the oils can be efficiently distilled. Due to the time involved, and the increasing demand of sandalwood for health and beauty purposes, sandalwood essential oil has become one of the more expensive essential oils available.

The powdered version is derived from crushing the wood pieces into a powder. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the powdered version.

Properties 

Let’s take a look at what makes sandalwood so effective as a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer:

Astringent – An astringent is something that causes contraction of tissues. For skin purposes, this has two effects: 1.) it tightens the skin, and reduces wrinkling. 2.) this contraction pulls and squeezes the skin in different directions. Think of your skin being squeezed like a toothpaste tube – and squeezing out acne causing material. In other words, the astringent property of sandalwood tones AND cleanses.

Increases Cell Activity – Sandalwood naturally promotes cell activity. It is this activity that enables skin cells to draw in more moisture, leaving your skin soft and healthy, and giving it a shiny appearance. Check the labels of some of your favorite moisturizing products. Chances are that the ingredients will list either sandalwood powder, or sandalwood oil.

Lightening – Many people turn to sandalwood as a natural remedy for over-tanned skin, or dark spots. The overproduction of melanin, and other compounds that cause discolored spots are mainly found in the outermost layer of your skin. The natural compounds found in Sandalwood weaken these pigment cells, and the mask removes them quite easily. The minerals in sandalwood also work to inhibit, and to remove keloid formation in your skin. Keloids are the results of scar tissue caused by acne, over tanning, and other blemishes.

A blend of sandalwood powder, and Fuller’s Earth is a very popular choice among professional aestheticians for skin whitening. You can either combine the two, to form a paste, or you can use a pre-mixed face pack, like the Facial Lightening Face Pack from Shfon Skincare. This face pack combines sandalwood and Fuller’s Earth (a type of clay) – two powerful brightening agents – with licorice, turmeric, and rose in a natural and organic blend.

So now we know what sandalwood is, and how it works. Now we need to figure out how, and how often to use it. The answer depends on what you are using it for.

Facial steaming – Use a sandalwood mask as you would any other mask for a facial routine. Since this type of mask moisturizes, you can either skip the moisturizer afterwards, or opt for a very light application.

Your skin can only hold so much moisture, so adding moisturizer afterwards is a waste.

Acne – The best treatment for acne, is to prevent it to begin with. While sandalwood masks are great at treating acne, they also clear your skin of dead skin cells which cause acne to begin with. Typically, most people use a face mask once week. A sandalwood mask is very mild on your skin; so if you are prone to acne breakouts, applying this type of mask more often should not have adverse affects on your skin. Apply the mask two or three times a week to start, and gradually lower that amount until you can maintain the desired results.

Spots and over-tanning – While you should see a noticeable lightening after the initial use, try applying the mask twice a week, for a period of 2-4 weeks to obtain your desired result. Each iteration will be less noticeable than the previous, but you should be able to remove all unwanted blemishes, spots, or darkened areas with consistent use within a month.

Exfoliating – For general exfoliating purposes, use a sandalwood mask as often as you would use any other mask that is a part of your routine. If you are used to a harsher mask, you will be surprised by how gentle this mask is in comparison.

Anti-aging – The astringent properties of sandalwood make this mask a great anti-wrinkle treatment. You can see miraculous results by blending in a bit of lavender oil to your sandalwood paste. 

Apply the rub twice a week initially, and then reduce once you have achieved your desired result. To maintain your great complexion, apply the rub 2-4 times per month thereafter.

Dry Skin – For dry skin, try using a sandalwood rub mixed with milk and rose water once a week. The mix of water and natural lipids found in milk will rejuvenate your skin. Rose water has anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce redness and itchiness.

How to use it

A sandalwood mask is very similar to a clay mask, or a dry charcoal mask. You simply mix it with your preferred liquid to make a paste.

The resulting paste should look like something below. It should have the consistency of brownie mix, or cake batter. It should coat the back of a spoon, but not be runny.

Rub it on your skin in a circular motion, and let dry for about 30 minutes.

Remember, this is NOT a peel. Don’t peel this off of your face. Use a warm wet towel to dissolve the mask, and then wash it off.

Given that the cost of Sandalwood powder is comparably low to other masks on the market, and since it can act as a mult-tasker (negating the need for moisturizer afterwards), it makes sandalwood masks a very affordable option. I was pleased to find out what the average price is, given how effective of a remedy it is, for a variety of applications.

Have you ever tried a sandalwood mask? Please leave a comment below, and share your experience.