Is sandalwood essential oil the same as chandan oil?

Yes — chandan is the Indian name for sandalwood. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the heartwood of Santalum album, so you get the familiar temple aroma in a concentrated form you can dilute for skin and diffuse.

Why is sandalwood essential oil so expensive?

The tree must mature for decades before its heartwood carries enough santalol, and Indian sandalwood is a protected, tightly regulated species. Low yield plus strict sourcing is why real sandalwood costs many times more than "sandalwood fragrance" oils.

How do I know my sandalwood oil is real?

Real sandalwood is soft and creamy rather than sharply sweet, and the aroma lasts for hours and deepens as it dries. A very cheap price is the clearest warning sign. dōTERRA publishes CPTG purity testing for every batch, which is the practical way to be sure.

Is sandalwood oil good for the face?

It is one of the most popular oils for dry or uneven-looking skin. Use 1–2 drops in 10 ml of a light carrier oil at night, patch test first, and never apply it neat to the face.

Sandalwood Essential Oil in India — Uses, Benefits & Price

Sandalwood oil in Hindi: चंदन का तेल (chandan ka tel)

Sandalwood — chandan — needs no introduction in India. It is the aroma of temples, wedding rituals and the tilak, and its essential oil is steam-distilled from the heartwood of Santalum album, the tree that gives Mysore its name.

Genuine sandalwood oil is one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world, which is exactly why the market is full of "sandalwood fragrance" that contains no sandalwood at all. dōTERRA Sandalwood on Melini India is CPTG tested for purity, sold in a 5 ml bottle because a single drop goes a very long way.

At a glance

Botanical name: Santalum album (Indian sandalwood)
Plant part: Heartwood
Extraction method: Steam distillation
Main components: Alpha-santalol, beta-santalol
Aroma profile: Soft, warm, creamy-woody
Blends well with: Frankincense, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Wild Orange

Key benefits

Skin that looks calm and even

Blended into a facial oil, sandalwood is the traditional Indian choice for dry, dull-looking or uneven skin.

Meditation and prayer

One drop in the palms before sitting quietly is the oldest recorded use of chandan, and still the most common one.

Grounding calm

Its deep, creamy-woody aroma settles a restless mind better than a sweet or citrus oil.

Natural personal fragrance

Diluted on the wrists and neck, it wears warm and soft for hours with no alcohol or synthetics.

How to use it

1
Facial oil
1–2 drops in 10 ml of a light carrier oil, applied at night after cleansing.
2
Meditation ritual
1 drop in the palms, rub together, cup over the nose and take three slow breaths before you sit.
3
Grounding diffuser blend
1 drop sandalwood with 2 drops wild orange or frankincense in the evening.
4
Personal fragrance roller
5–6 drops in a 10 ml roller of Fractionated Coconut Oil, applied to pulse points.

Buy Sandalwood Essential Oil

dōTERRA

5 ml

dōTERRA Sandalwood 5 ml

₹8,210

100% authentic dōTERRA · CPTG tested · Flat ₹99 Pan-India shipping · Delivered in 3–7 business days

Safety notes

•Dilute for skin use — 1–2 drops per 10 ml of carrier oil is plenty.
•Patch test on the inner arm before using it on the face.
•Keep away from the eyes and out of the reach of children.
•Consult your doctor if pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical care.
•Store tightly closed away from heat and light; sandalwood only improves with careful storage.

Frequently asked questions

Is sandalwood essential oil the same as chandan oil?: Yes — chandan is the Indian name for sandalwood. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the heartwood of Santalum album, so you get the familiar temple aroma in a concentrated form you can dilute for skin and diffuse.
Why is sandalwood essential oil so expensive?: The tree must mature for decades before its heartwood carries enough santalol, and Indian sandalwood is a protected, tightly regulated species. Low yield plus strict sourcing is why real sandalwood costs many times more than "sandalwood fragrance" oils.
How do I know my sandalwood oil is real?: Real sandalwood is soft and creamy rather than sharply sweet, and the aroma lasts for hours and deepens as it dries. A very cheap price is the clearest warning sign. dōTERRA publishes CPTG purity testing for every batch, which is the practical way to be sure.
Is sandalwood oil good for the face?: It is one of the most popular oils for dry or uneven-looking skin. Use 1–2 drops in 10 ml of a light carrier oil at night, patch test first, and never apply it neat to the face.

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