There are many quick and easy ways to reduce stress: meditating for five minutes, walking around the block, taking a few deep breaths, and finding which one is best for you is definitely a personal effort. However, what worked for me might be the simplest of all: inhaling a sandalwood perfume.
The warm and woody aroma really entice the senses. He is mysterious and sexy; sensual but not aggressive; comforting but confidence-boosting. Dousing myself in sandalwood has become a regular part of my zen-inducing routine, and apparently there’s a scientific reason why it works so well for relaxing me.
“The smell of sandalwood oil is particularly soft and woody,” says Jacques Huclier, Givaudan’s senior perfumer, adding that it is reminiscent of a milky cream. Sandalwood has long been used in Ayurvedic traditions as perfume and incense, as it helps promote mental clarity. “It facilitates a feeling of relaxation and peace, which is why it is often used for meditation,” says Nathalie Feisthauer, an award-winning master perfumer from Paris.
Apparently, there’s actual science to back this up. A 2017 study in Worldviews in Evidence-Based Nursing found that smelling a sandalwood and lavender scent reduced anxiety better than orange and mint aromatherapy or a placebo, while a previous article in Complementary therapies in clinical practice concluded that sandalwood oil has anxiety-minimizing effects.
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“Sandalwood, native to India and called Latin Santalum Album, belongs to the category of fragrant trees or scent woods,” says Feisthauer. “It’s getting rarer and more expensive; the price of the oil goes up considerably as the tree grows.” In other words, sandalwood is similar to a fine wine: the older it is, the more valuable it becomes. According to Huclier, a tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready to produce the quality of oil normally used in fragrances.
Fortunately, sandalwood has excellent staying power. “When you dip a blotting paper into a bottle of this oil, the smell lingers for many days,” says Huclier. So while sandalwood perfumes are expensive, you can invest in them knowing that their velvety finish will hold onto your pressure points for easy access to instant stress relief.
Are you ready to try this uplifting scent for yourself? These editor-approved sandalwood perfumes below will put you at ease, even if it’s just for a moment.
Subtle Krigler Orchid — $615.00
An inviting combination of coffee, vanilla, and sandalwood feels like a warm hug, and hints of patchouli and lemon balance the subtle floral sweetness that contributes to the femininity of this French perfume. We love that this bouquet perfume is super velvety (dare we say ethereal) and well balanced. With hints of comfort and seduction, smelling this one is almost like being in the hands of your new flame.
And Thursday, Jasmine 17 — $99.00
Far from those basic floral scents you’re bored of, this vivid fragrance blends fragrant white florals with sensual sandalwood to create an intoxicating combination that will keep you hooked. This is the kind of perfume that you can buy blindly or give as a gift. We found Le Labo’s Jasmin 17 to be easy to wear from day to night, but a word of warning: This jasmine-inspired scent is no wallflower—everyone will be asking what you’re wearing.
Donna Karan, Cashmere Mist — $130.00
Imagine yourself sitting by the fireplace wrapped in a cashmere sweater, because this is exactly the vibe this calming eau de parfum gives off. Combine lily-of-the-valley, Moroccan jasmine, and sandalwood to create a scent so inviting that it’s as versatile as it is harmless. The bottle, designed by Karan’s sculptor husband, was inspired by the female body; And the mid-price means you can spray it on your clothes, on your sheets, in your hair, everywhere.
The Maker, Wild — $175.00
The Maker’s Wild fragrance is fresh, feminine and balanced with unexpected fruity notes. Sandalwood won’t overpower the senses in this one, but it makes a soft cameo that completes the scent, joining the earthy and citrus tones.
Krigler, Abracadabra—$40.00
With sandalwood, lily-of-the-valley, and musk, this warm floral scent packs just enough spice to turn heads. The aldehydes in this perfume ensure that the scent will linger on the skin and project well for hours. Abrakaadabra is rooted in tradition, with notes of Scotch hawthorn, said to exemplify strength, resilience and sensuality (things we could all use a little more of, right?).
Tom Ford, Metallic — $233.00
This Tom Ford fragrance is glamorous. Bergamot and peppercorn add crisp freshness, while a powdery floral base completes the fragrance, which, by the way, has A+ projection and staying power.
And Thursday, Santal 33 — $2
Woody, leathery and slightly smoky, yet well blended with hints of iris and violet, this perfume encloses mystery and strength in its minimalist, apothecary-style bottle. You can easily layer it with a warm vanilla scent to round out its intensity, but cult followers of Le Labo know you can wear this coveted scent alone.
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