Sandalwood (Western Australian)

Australian sandalwood is the most sustainable alternative to East Indian sandalwood.

Very low skin sensitization risk.

Managed cultivation in Western Australia since the 1990s. Indigenous Aboriginal communities manage some of it.

No data indicates hazard in pregnancy.

Santalum spicatum is a Western Australian sandalwood species. Smaller than Santalum album, growing in arid regions.

Main production: Western Australia. Increasing production from South Australia and Northern Territory.

Lower santalol content than East Indian (only 15-25 percent vs 46-60 percent), the most marked difference.

Family Santalaceae.

In industry, Australian sandalwood is encouraged as a replacement for East Indian. Sustainability is the main reason.

Lighter, less deep than East Indian but still good perfumery quality. A middle base note rather than a deep base.