Table of Contents
Sandalwood is a ‘holy grail’ skincare product for millions of women across the globe. The use of sandalwood in skincare is an age-old practice and we mostly choose the whitish version of the ingredient for this purpose. White sandalwood, also known as Indian sandalwood, has gained immense popularity for its incredible skin benefits and amazing aroma. But do you know that the red variety of sandalwood is equally beneficial for your skin? In fact, red sandalwood or ‘Rakta Chandana’ is known to be one of the most reliable natural ingredients that can help you fix almost all your beauty woes when included in the face pack or face mask. Let us explore the benefits, uses, and side effects of red sandalwood for skin in this article.
What Is Red Sandalwood?
Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus), also known as red sanders or saunderswood, is very much different from white sandalwood (Santalum Album). It is basically a tree with a rich red-colored heartwood (the wood at the center of the trunk of the tree) with no significant aroma. Red sandalwood is mostly valued for its medicinal properties and hence, it has been widely used in traditional herbal medicine. It has great anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antipyretic, anti-hyperglycaemic, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic properties, which make it a perfect solution for digestive tract issues, fluid retention, cough, etc. The ingredient can also improve the overall health of our skin remarkably with its strong healing characteristics (1).
Red sandalwood is often used as an alternative to white sandalwood. However, they have huge differences in characteristics and properties and hence, should not be used alternatively.
Read Also – Bid Adieu To Skin Pigmentation With Sandalwood
Benefits And Uses Of Red Sandalwood For Skin
1. Offers Great Nourishment
A skin that is healthy-looking outside is basically properly nourished inside and red sandalwood is one of the best natural ingredients that provide sufficient nourishment to our skin cells.
How to Use:
Add 1-2 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder to your regular body oil or simply make a paste of them for regular use.
2. Gives a Radiant Complexion
If your dry, rough skin is making your complexion dull and lifeless, red sandalwood can be your savior.
How To Use:
Take 2 tablespoons of plain curd or fresh raw milk and add 1 tablespoon of red sandalwood powder and (1/2) teaspoon of turmeric powder to it. Use this paste on your face to get a bright and shiny complexion. You can also prepare a face pack by mixing rose water with red sandalwood powder.
Read Also – Natural Skin Whitening With Sandalwood Face Pack
3. Makes Skin Even-Toned
Blotchy skin with lots of blemishes and old marks of breakouts looks really unattractive. Get a perfectly even tone by opting for red sandalwood.
How To Use:
Prepare a face mask by combining 4 tablespoons of fresh coconut milk and 2 teaspoons of almond oil with 4 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder and use it regularly.
Read Also – Uses Of Sandalwood Oil In Skin Care
4. Helps in Exfoliation
Red sandalwood can help you immensely in exfoliating the upper dead skin cell layer and revealing a fresh layer of skin underneath.
How To Use:
Make an exfoliating mask by mixing 2 tablespoons of nicely mashed, ripe papaya with 1 tablespoon of red sandalwood powder. Scrub your skin with it lightly and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
5. Controls Oiliness of Skin
Oily skin with large pores can lead to unwanted breakouts. Red sandalwood powder can soak up excess oil and reduce the secretion of sebum in your skin, thereby keeping it grease-free throughout the day.
How To Use:
Make a simple face pack by adding the juice of a fresh lemon to 1 tablespoon of red sandalwood powder and apply it all over your face to regulate the secretion of sebum and make the pores tighter as well.
6. Removes Ugly Sun Tan
In case you are trying hard to get rid of your month-old suntan, red sandalwood can be a smart choice indeed. It not only fades away those ugly tan marks but also protects the skin from further sun damages.
How To Use:
Take 2 tablespoons of red sandalwood powder and add an equal amount of plain curd or fresh cucumber juice to it. Blend well and use it all over the troubled area of the skin.
Read Also – Best Sandalwood Soaps In India – Top 7 Picks
7. Fades Pigmentation Marks
If your pigmentation marks are stealing your self-confidence, give red sandalwood a try to get rid of them. The ingredient is effective in eliminating pigmentation by removing the layer of affected cells.
How To Use:
Prepare a smooth paste by blending 2 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder with 2 tablespoons of raw fresh milk and use it every day on the marks for the best results.
Also Read – AuraVedic Skin Lightening Oil Review: Price, Ingredients, Pros, and Cons
8. Clears Up Acne and Pimples
A simple paste of red sandalwood powder and plain water or rose water can help you a lot in preventing those irritating acne and pimples. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and soothing properties of the ingredient help a lot in it.
How To Use:
Take 1 tablespoon of red sandalwood powder and add a little water or rose water to it for preparing a smooth paste. Apply it regularly on the affected spots and get a flawless skin. You can also add a little turmeric powder or 1 tablespoon of honey to this mixture for better results.
9. Combats Premature Aging
Keep all those signs of aging at bay with red sandalwood and enjoy having gorgeous young-looking skin.
How To Use:
Make a face mask by mixing 2 teaspoons of strong chamomile tea with 4 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder and turn the clock easily.
10. Soothes Itchy, Inflamed Skin
Being a natural anti-inflammatory agent and highly soothing in nature, red sandalwood can heal your inflamed skin fast too.
How To Use:
Take your favorite massage oil in sufficient quantity and add red sandalwood powder to it. Massaging your skin with it will reduce skin irritations considerably.
Red sandalwood can also be used to treat severe skin disorders like eczema. It is also a great antiseptic that aids in the healing of wounds and injuries.
Side Effects Of Red Sandalwood
Red sandalwood is generally safe for topical use. However, you must avoid applying it to the skin during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
References:
- “Red Sandalwood“, WebMD.com
