# Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood essential oil

> Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood is Young Living's own farmed sandalwood species, prized for its creamy, woody aroma and use in skincare.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/royal-hawaiian-sandalwood

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Santalum paniculatum
- **Plant part:** Heartwood
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Warm, creamy wood
- **Origin:** Hawaii
- **Blends with:** Rose, ylang ylang, lavender

## Composition

- α-Santalol: 40%
- β-Santalol: 18%
- epi-β-Santalol: 5%
- α-trans-Bergamotol: 5%
- (Z)-Nuciferol: 3%
- α-Santalene: 3%

Source: Natural Product Communications — Hawaiian Sandalwood oil composition (2014) (https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1400900936)

## Key constituents

- **Alpha-santalol** (20-30%) — One of two key santalols responsible for sandalwood's warm, creamy-woody character
- **Beta-santalol** (10-20%) — Works alongside alpha-santalol to define the classic sandalwood aroma

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops gives a soft, grounding base note under florals or citrus in evening blends.
- **On skin:** A favorite in skincare recipes; dilute 2–5% in a carrier oil.

## Safety

- For topical use, dilute to 2–5% in a carrier oil and keep out of reach of children.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- A very gentle, well-tolerated oil; dilute before topical use as usual.
- Choose sustainably sourced sandalwood — many Santalum species are threatened; Hawaiian sandalwood should come from managed forests.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Sandalwood's santalols have been studied for antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-soothing activity in the laboratory. These are in-vitro findings; sandalwood's calming reputation is largely traditional. — Natural Product Communications (2014) (https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1400900936)

## Evidence

- Hawaiian sandalwood is a santalol-rich heartwood oil (α- and β-santalol), the same signature constituents that define prized Indian sandalwood. — Natural Product Communications (2014) (https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1400900936)

## Frequently asked questions

### How is Hawaiian sandalwood different from Indian sandalwood?

Both are santalol-rich and share the classic creamy-woody sandalwood aroma. Hawaiian sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum) offers a more sustainable, managed-forest source than heavily pressured Indian sandalwood (Santalum album).

### Why does sandalwood matter for sustainability?

Several sandalwood species have been over-harvested, so responsible sourcing is important. Hawaiian sandalwood from managed forests is one way to enjoy sandalwood's aroma with less pressure on wild Indian stocks.

### Is sandalwood phototoxic?

No — sandalwood is a heartwood oil with no phototoxic constituents. It's very gentle; just dilute it for skin use as usual.

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._