Growing a beard isn’t always a straightforward process.
Sometimes it can feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back – especially if you’re struggling with frizzy, brittle, or damaged hair.
Lucky for you, sandalwood oil has got your back.
While it started as a popular ingredient in cologne and aromatherapy, it’s quickly become a main player in hair and beard care.
And it’s easy to see why.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly why sandalwood has gained popularity, what it can do for your beard, and how to safely use it.
Types of Sandalwood Oil
Most essential oils only have one scent – but not sandalwood.
In fact, sandalwood has over 30 species that each have a unique scent.
Today we’re going to cover the two most popular options:
Indian Sandalwood
Indian Sandalwood is the first and most traditional sandalwood species.
It’s what you’re going to find at your local drugstore, pharmacy, or supermarket.
However, over-harvesting and poaching has caused the Indian Sandalwood tree to nearly become extinct. It doesn’t help that this tree needs to mature for 30 years before essential oil extraction either.
When it comes to the scent, you can think of Indian Sandalwood as that classic masculine undertone in many colognes. It has a deep woodsy, spicy, and earthy scent.
Compared to other species, Indian Sandalwood has one of the strongest and longest-lasting scents.
It’s for that reason that it’s one of the most popular species for aromatherapy. Try a high-quality product for the best results.
Australian Sandalwood
The second most popular sandalwood species comes from Australia.
This species has a lighter, creamier, and gentler scent than its brother – making it a better choice for anyone with sensitivity toward fragrances.
Compared to the 30-year process of stream distillation for the Indian Sandalwood tree, solvent extraction is used with the Australian species. This process is quicker and more cost-effective.
If you want to find the differences between these two species for yourself, pick up some pure Austrailian Sandalwood essential oil. You won’t regret it.
Uses of Sandalwood Oil for Beards
Let’s face it, that sandalwood scent is fantastic – but what does it actually do?
We’re glad you asked.
Sandalwood beard oil has a long list of hair, skin, and beard benefits. Here are the top four:
Moisturizing
Other essential oils, like jojoba oil, argan oil, and grapeseed oil are well-known moisturizers.
But what about sandalwood oil?
Well, it’s no different… Sandalwood knows how to keep your beard moisturized.
That means you can forget all about that prickly frizz that’s so hard to control. Instead, you’ll have an easy-to-brush, tangle-free beard done the natural way.
Speaking of brushes, a boar bristle brush is the highest-quality product that you can use to stimulate silky soft beard growth.
And, let’s face it, who doesn't want that?
Softening
We’ve all been there…You’re sitting close to someone you love – enjoying a movie, TV show, or a good book.
That is, until they tell you that your beard is too prickly for any more cuddling.
Thankfully, sandalwood oil solves that problem for you.
It’s simple, really. A well-moisturized beard is a soft beard. And a soft beard is a cuddle and hug friendly beard.
So, if you want to get rid of those irritating prickles, you need to start using sandalwood oil.
You can also try a couple beard oils (like El Presidente) for an added punch of silky smoothness. Or, if you’re unfamiliar with beard oil, learn about it here.
Soothing
New to the world of beard growth and wondering how to relieve the itch?
We’ve got one word for you: sandalwood.
Sandalwood oil is fully packed with antioxidants that give it antiinflamatory and antimicrobial properties – like alpha-Santalol.
That means you’ll have calmer skin underneath your beard.
So kiss those forbidden beard flakes goodbye and welcome a soothed and calmed beard. Reducing Itching & Irritation
When first growing out your beard, it’s bound to be itchy.
Some people might tell you there’s no way around it – but that’s not true.
Thanks to sandalwood’s soothing makeup – it can calm your skin from that beginner beard grower's itch.
If you’re struggling with irritation from another product, environmental damage, or improper hygiene, applying sandalwood oil may be the cure you’re looking for as well.
Beginner and advanced beard owners alike, you should know how to grow a beard. Read our detailed guide here.
How to Use Sandalwood Oil for Beards
It’s time to apply that sandalwood oil to your beard.
But before you just into things, there are a few things you’ll want to know.
First, let’s talk about diluting sandalwood for non-irritating use:
Dilution
If you’re using any essential oils on your skin, hair, or beard, you should be diluting them.
When you skip this step, you risk irritation that may slow new beard hair growth. And nobody wants that.
Thankfully it takes less than five minutes to dilute an essential oil. All you need is the essential oil, sandalwood in this case, and a carrier oil.
If you’re wondering what carrier oil is, we’ve got you covered. A carrier oil is a gentle oil that acts as a vehicle for the essential oil you’re using. You can find a list of the best carrier oils here, including coconut oil and other rich oils.
To dilute sandalwood oil, you’ll want to mix 15 drops of essential oil with 6 teaspoons of carrier oil. This creates a 3% concentration of essential oil – which is the recommended strength for topical use.
Application
Now that you’ve diluted your pure sandalwood oil, it’s time to apply it.
But don’t just start rubbing it into your face like a madman. Now that’s a recipe for a greasy disaster.
Instead, you’ll want to follow this simple four-step process that we’ve added below.
Step 1: Start by gently cleaning your facial hair. We recommend using a specialty beard wash or warm water.
Step 2: Next, dry your beard until it is damp. If you have a shorter beard, you can pat dry with a towel. F