Think you know sandalwood? Think again. If you're into woodsy or musky scents, you're probably already a devotee of the sophisticated base note—certain sandalwood scents are practically household names at this point (ahem, Le Labo). But it's also a surprisingly easy place to start if you’ve been loyal to sweet florals or creamy vanilla scents. "Sandalwood is a fragrant wood from trees indigenous to India, South East Asia, and Australia," says Arquiste Parfumeur, founder Carlos Huber. "In perfume, the oil extracted by steam distillation has been valued for centuries, transported via the ancient incense and spice trade routes associated. Its scent can be smooth, creamy, and ambery, but also has a distinctively earthy facet."
Sandalwood's creamy quality is what makes it pair so well with so many different notes, which is one of the reasons why it is found in so many perfumes. "Sandalwood exudes a woody, smooth aroma that is rich, alluring, and mildly animalistic in nature," adds Bvlgari Parfums’ Global Creative Director Amandine Pallez." While sandalwood may not be the most powerful in terms of its smell, it possesses an exceptionally robust longevity. For those of us who create perfumes, sandalwood serves as an endless wellspring of creativity."
If you're shopping for a new perfume or maybe you're just curious to learn more about what sandalwood has to offer, you've come to the right place. We've found 14 tantalizing fragrances that will make you love sandalwood—that is if you're not already obsessed. Keep scrolling for our curated roundup of the top sandalwood perfumes worth trying.
Meet the Experts
- Carlos Huber is a perfumer and Founder of Arquiste Parfumeur.
- Amandine Pallez is Bvlgari Parfums’ Global Creative Director.
- Marie Du Petit Thouars is the Founder and Creative Director of Maison Louis Marie.
Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule Eau de Parfum
Let's start things off with a fragrance that the perfumer himself describes as "sandalwood written in capital letters." With a profile—and a name—like that, it's a must-have (or at least a must-try) should a sandalwood scent be what you're after. Get introduced with a warm, woody opening note tempered with light floral notes (think: fresh rose). It finishes with a snap of cacao at the end that keeps things sharp and leaves a lasting impression.
Byredo Parfums Blanche Eau de Parfum
The scent by founder Ben Gorham is aptly named Blanche, as it's meant to represent his perception of the color white, evoking synesthesia. With floral top notes and heart notes like white rose and peony, it leans toward the lighter side of sandalwood. It's an overall clean and fresh fragrance, making it a great option for everyday wear.
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume
Sandalwood combines with vetiver and amber to create a warm, earthy scent that doesn't overpower. "The No.04 Bois de Balincourt is all about the perfect balance, and for me, it’s the sandalwood note that really takes it to another level," says founder Marie Du Petit Thouars. "I’ve always loved that note because it’s that rare ingredient that feels both grounding and elevating at the same time. It brings a smooth, creamy warmth that lingers without being overpowering."
Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Toilette
The only eau de toilette to make our list, Diptyque's Tam Dao illustrates the powerful tie between scent and memory. Co-founder Yves Coueslant created the fragrance to evoke the Mysorian forests and temples where he spent his summers as a child. The woody notes of this fragrance (Italian cypress, cedar, spices, and amber) give it a warm, spicy appeal that seduces the senses.
Tom Ford Santal Blush Eau de Parfum
Ford intended for this exotic fragrance to embody a kind of "naked glamour"—and that's exactly what it delivers. Equal parts creamy and spicy, it counts cinnamon bark oil, ylang-ylang, benzoin tears, and copaiba balsam, among its ingredients. We're betting it would be right at home in the mid-century excess of Palm Springs.
Bvlgari Allegra Magnifying Sandalwood Eau De Parfum
This scent is pure magic for sandalwood lovers, and it's great to have in your collection for mixing. "I had in mind a sensual sandalwood and I asked the talented perfumer Jacques Cavallier to create a sandalwood that would feel like a luxurious, warm thick ivory cashmere blanket, a fragrance that makes you want to curl up in it and find unrivaled comfort and pleasure," says Pallez. "As its name suggests, this essence is highly concentrated, powerful, and invigorating."
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Thanks to its cult status, this perfume has become synonymous with modern luxury. With notes of cardamom, violet, iris, papyrus, and cedarwood, you've likely already smelled this incredibly popular scent in the wild—especially if you've been to LA because everyone wears it there. Creamy and light, you'll want to continue layering it on throughout the day.
Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool Eau de Parfum
You know the creamy, salty scent of beachy skin? This perfume is that. "In Sydney Rock Pool we're using the best quality Australian sandalwood to give this beachy scent a musky, velvety facet," says Huber. "It's sandalwood at its most smooth and creamy."
Replica Afternoon Delight Eau de Toilette with Vanilla & Sandalwood
Afternoon Delight is a mix of Madagascar vanilla, madeleine accord, and sandalwood. As with every Replica fragrance, it's meant to evoke the memory of a sweet self-indulgence. This scent doesn't smell overly sugary but has more of a creamy aroma that elicits memories of an ice cream shop rather than a candy store.
Memo Paris Sherwood Eau de Parfum
For a sandalwood-forward scent that leans more woody than creamy, try Sherwood. It combines creamy sandalwood with bright pink pepper and black currant to create this mellow, woody, and spicy scent that truly gets better the longer you have it on.
D.S. & Durga Radio Bombay Eau de Parfum
Wallflowers need not apply—this exotic fragrance demands attention. Its spicy, heady scent was inspired by the bustling streets of Mumbai. And with a formula that includes ambergris, one of the world's most expensive perfume ingredients—it should come as no surprise that Radio Bombay doesn't run cheap. Fortunately, D.S. & Durga also offers a Pocket Perfume that poses as a more budget-friendly option.
Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum
A classic fragrance created by Jacques Polge, Chanel's Coco needs no introduction. Sicilian mandarin, jasmine, patchouli, and a note of vanilla-like Tonka give way to a scent that is complex, but not complicated; empowering without overpowering. It makes for the perfect date-night perfume.
Henry Rose Queens & Monsters Eau de Parfum
This perfume is a perfect example of how rich fragrances don't need to compromise lightness for sensuality. Fresh and zesty notes of violet leaf, neroli, freesia, and jasmine levitate with a woody twist of petitgrain but the creamy base of vanilla, coco musk, and sandalwood offer a cozy grounding that makes this fragrance a true standout.
Tocca Stella Eau de Parfum
This flirty fragrance may seem surprising for a sandalwood find, but it beautifully illustrates the chameleon-like range of the often pigeon-holed scent. A true ode to balmy Italian romance, bright notes of blood orange, freesia, and spicy lily transport the senses, and trail off with an unlikely surprise, courtesy of its deep base of sandalwood and musk.