How to Use Sandalwood for Acne Treatment

Out of the many acne treatment options available, Ayurvedic and home remedies make use of sandalwood. Sandalwood is an evergreen medium-sized tree, which has mature bark with a pleasant fragrance. Like turmeric powder, this is also used in most of the beauty or skin care products. In oily skin, dirt tends to get accumulated in the pores. Such pores clogged with dirt facilitate the growth of bacteria leading to acne problems. Sandalwood is found to be effective for those who have acne-prone oily skin.

Medicinal Properties of Sandalwood

The wood tastes bitter, but it is a cooling sedative and a cardiac tonic. Sandalwood essential oil, which is extracted from the heartwood or roots through steam distillation, contains Santaloe. This constituent acts as an antiseptic and a stimulant. It also gives a soothing effect to the skin and mucous membrane. It can heal inflamed skin and also prevent excessive sweating. Sandalwood can also reduce gastric irritability and has diuretic property. Additionally, it is also known for its astringent, digestive, anti-disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic properties.

Acne and Sandalwood

Sandalwood is used for treating many of the skin conditions because of its medicinal properties. It is widely used for treating acne in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani – all the traditional medicinal practices of India. Even Chinese medicinal practices use sandalwood oil for acne treatment. This sweet-smelling wood is also used in a wide range of natural skin care products. Due to its soothing and cooling effect, sandalwood is found to be effective in reducing the skin inflammation caused by acne.

Using Sandalwood for Acne Treatment

  • Make a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder in milk. A few pinches of camphor can also be added to this paste to increase the cooling effect. Apply this paste on the acne-affected areas or evenly throughout the face. Leave it overnight and rinse it with plain water in the morning.
  • Prepare sandalwood paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder in rosewater. Add few drops of glycerin and apply this paste evenly on the face. It can be applied for acne on the chest and the back regions also. Rinse after 30 minutes with plenty of lukewarm water. This paste mask can act as a remedy for acne problems and also for oily skin issues.

These home remedies will surely help in attaining a blemish-free skin; however, results cannot be seen overnight. Regular usage of sandalwood remedies can help in effectively treating acne problems and scars. Red sandalwood has same medicinal properties as that of white sandalwood, but it does not have the aromatic fragrance. Hence, red sandalwood is used by those who do not like the strong aroma of white sandalwood.

Sandalwood is an endangered species, and hence, its products are expensive. Do not get dismayed by looking at its cost as the benefits are numerous with visible results. However, for some, the treatment with sandalwood products may not produce any result at all. In such cases, consult your dermatologist who can diagnose your acne condition and prescribe the appropriate medication.