Sandalwood — one famous name, several fragrant trees

The material

What is sandalwood?

Sandalwood essential oil is distilled from the aromatic heartwood and roots of mature trees in the genus Santalum. Unlike many essential-oil crops that can be harvested after a single season, sandalwood develops slowly. The tree must establish fragrant heartwood before it can yield the deep, persistent oil for which it is prized.

Sandalwoods are also unusual because they are root hemiparasites. Young trees form connections with suitable host plants and draw part of their water and mineral nutrition from them. Successful cultivation therefore depends on managing both the sandalwood and its companion vegetation.

The Santalum family

The sandalwoods most often found in perfumery

Why Gabriella Oils chose Australian sandalwood

A beautiful material with the right purpose

We're working with Australian Sandalwood, also known as Santalum spicatum. What drew us to this source is that it's part of a well-managed and regulated Australian supply chain. But that's not all - it's also connected to projects that provide jobs and economic opportunities for Indigenous people, who have a deep and meaningful connection to sandalwood and the land that goes far beyond the modern perfume industry. This connection is really important to us, and we're proud to be supporting a supply chain that benefits Indigenous communities.

What makes our candles special is the story behind them, but we also need to make sure they actually work well. We use Australian sandalwood in our blends because it gives them a nice, elegant woody smell without being too expensive or overpowering like some other types of sandalwood. When we mix it with wax, it helps bring out the citrus, resin, and floral notes, and smooths out any harsh smells, making the whole fragrance feel complete and nice to smell.

Traceability matters more than nationality alone

Not all Australian sandalwood bottles are created equal. Some wild populations have been over-harvested in the past and are struggling to regrow. That's why we prefer sandalwood that comes from well-managed sources, where the story behind the wood is clear. We want to know where it came from, who it's helping, and how it's ensuring the future of these amazing trees.

Beyond the word sustainable

What responsible sandalwood sourcing should mean

Sandalwood has a pretty troubled past. It grows really slowly, and the valuable part of the tree is the heartwood, which makes it super expensive. To make things worse, people need to remove the whole tree, including the roots, to get to the good stuff. This has made some species of sandalwood really vulnerable to people cutting them down illegally or harvesting them in a way that's not good for the environment. So, when you see "sustainable sandalwood" on a label, it should mean that there's a system in place to make sure it's being harvested in a way that's good for the trees and the planet, not just a fancy phrase to make you feel better about buying it.

• Legal and traceable origin: the species, region and supplier are known.
• Regeneration: seedlings, host plants and grazing pressure are actively managed.
• Realistic harvest levels: removal does not outrun the landscape’s ability to replace mature trees.
• Community benefit: Traditional Owners and local communities participate meaningfully in employment, management or ownership.
• Long time horizons: projects plan in decades because sandalwood cannot be treated like an annual crop.

Australian regulation and government involvement can provide an important framework, but they do not make every harvest automatically beyond criticism. Good sourcing combines oversight with transparent science, regeneration and local stewardship.

The perfumer’s wood

Why sandalwood smells so familiar

Australian sandalwood immediately reminds us of men’s perfume: clean wood, warm skin, soft smoke and the polished base of an aftershave or cologne. That recognition makes sense. Sandalwood accords—and modern aroma molecules inspired by sandalwood—have long been used to give masculine and unisex fragrances smoothness, diffusion and staying power.

Just because a perfume smells like it has Australian sandalwood in it, doesn't mean it actually does. A lot of the time, perfumes are made with a mix of natural and synthetic ingredients, including sandalwood, to make them stronger and more consistent. And it's often cheaper to do it this way too. But if you smell natural Australian sandalwood on its own, you can start to pick up on the underlying woody notes that are often hidden in the finished perfume.

Why it works so well in candles

When it comes to candles, you don't necessarily need the most expensive or luxurious ingredients to get the best results. Australian sandalwood, for instance, is a great choice because it adds depth and structure to the scent without overpowering the other notes. It's particularly good at balancing out citrus scents, giving them a smoother edge, and it also helps to ground lavender, preventing it from becoming too overpowering. Additionally, Australian sandalwood supports the richness of resins and gives floral scents a more subtle, less sweet base. This makes it a really versatile ingredient that can enhance a wide range of fragrances in candles.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing a sandalwood

Is Australian sandalwood real sandalwood?

Yes. Santalum spicatum is a true member of the sandalwood genus. It is not Amyris, Cedarwood or a fragrance oil sold under a convenient name.

Is Mysore sandalwood a separate species?

Mysore describes a famous regional and historical identity associated with Indian sandalwood, Santalum album. The name does not create a separate botanical species, and it should be supported by credible provenance rather than used loosely for any S. album oil.

Which smells better: Australian or Indian?

Indian sandalwood is usually richer, creamier and more classically luxurious. Australian sandalwood is drier, cleaner and more contemporary. The better choice depends on the formula, budget and desired effect.

Would Mysore improve a candle?

It would change it, but not necessarily improve it enough to justify the cost. In a fine perfume, Mysore’s depth and persistence can be central. In a candle blend, Australian sandalwood may provide all the wood, warmth and structure required.

Does sandalwood improve with age?

Well-stored sandalwood oil is often valued for the way it becomes smoother and more integrated over time, although storage conditions, authenticity and oxidation still matter.