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Is It Effective to Use Sandalwood for Acne?
Many patients find it very effective to use sandalwood for acne, although this varies based on the person and the underlying cause of the pimples. It is most effective in clearing skin with breakouts caused by oil and bacteria. Hormonal acne breakouts may be unaffected by sandalwood treatments.
Sandalwood is a tree which is cultivated and used for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is often used in skin products in order to promote healing and to clear up blemishes as well as other skin conditions and redness. When using sandalwood for acne, it is often most effective to use it in its purest form as a powder or essential oil. It can be combined with other ingredients, most commonly rosehips, turmeric, honey, camphor, and water, for more powerful results.
Most times, using sandalwood for acne is considered a highly effective treatment option for those whose pimples are caused by bacterial infection of the pores. It s also good at drying up oil, so it is especially useful for those with oily skin. Sandalwood can be used as a powder combined with turmeric and water and then rubbed over the skin as a nightly mask, or it can be mixed with water as an essential oil and applied all over the face as an astringent. The oil can also be applied directly to pimples.
Although sandalwood is generally considered mild, there is a slight risk of an allergic reaction. Before using sandalwood for acne treatment, it is best to apply the mask or oil to a small area of skin ahead of time to see if an allergic reaction occurs. Signs of a reaction can include redness, itching, swelling and in severe cases, shortness of breath or dizziness. If any of these symptoms occur, use of sandalwood should be discontinued and medical help should be sought.
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![Sandalwood may be combined with honey as an effective treatment of acne.]()
By: NitrSandalwood may be combined with honey as an effective treatment of acne. -
![A close up of acne.]()
By: olavsA close up of acne. -
![Sandalwood essential oil is a highly concentrated liquid from the sandal tree.]()
By: viperagpSandalwood essential oil is a highly concentrated liquid from the sandal tree. -
![Turmeric can be used in homemade facial masks to treat acne.]()
By: Photographee.euTurmeric can be used in homemade facial masks to treat acne.
Discussion Comments
Sandalwood is one of the Indian homeopathic remedies used to treat acne. Sandalwood actually has many uses in India. When I visited, I saw people applying sandalwood to their forehead. Sandalwood has cooling properties and Indians use it to cool down when it's very hot. I think this is why sandalwood is good for inflammation and if we think about it, acne is a type of inflammation caused by infection. So naturally, sandalwood is beneficial for it.
By the way, most Indian groceries in the US carry some form of sandalwood. So that might be a good place to buy it.
@fBoyle-- I'm using sandalwood paste. I buy the paste ready made from an online seller. It's quite fresh and effective. You can also get the powder and mix it with a little bit of water to make a paste yourself. I wouldn't use the oil because the oil has a very strong scent and it's quite potent. I think the risk of irritation may be greater if you use the oil undiluted. And I certainly would not apply the oil all over my face. It might be okay to use as a spot treatment though.
I use sandalwood paste as a mask. I apply it several times a week and leave it on until it dries, which takes about fifteen minutes. Then I wash it off and apply an oil-free moisturizer. It works great this way. It dries out any pimples I may have and prevents new ones from forming. Since I don't leave it on my face for a very long time, the scent also does not bother me. I recommend the paste for those who want to try sandalwood for acne.
Has anyone here used sandalwood oil for acne? I'm thinking about giving it a try as other natural acne treatments have not worked for me.
What do you think is the best way to use sandalwood for this purpose? Should I apply it all over my face like a moisturizer or should I use it as a spot treatment?
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