Samsara
1989– · France
Jean-Paul Guerlain’s jasmine-sandal temple.
Samsara (1989–, France) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Samsara as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Sillage66
Longevity88
Versatility74
Complexity72
Cultural impact78
Approachability70
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
What is Sandalwood?
Creamy santal — milk and temple wood, now mostly farmed. Wild Mysore is a story, not a supply chain.
EDP vs EDT — what changes?
Concentration is oil in alcohol, not a quality score. EDT (about 5–15%) shows more top; EDP (about 15–20%) shows more heart and base. Houses vary; this is not a lab assay.
How should I wear Sandalwood?
One or two sprays on skin or cloth — sternum or hair, not a cloud in a lift. Let it turn an hour before you add more.
Which season fits?
Cool to cold, close to skin. Heat turns creamy wood into sun lotion.
Does skin chemistry change it?
Yes. Warm, moist skin amplifies sweet and spice; dry or cool skin can turn the same juice woody, soapy or short. Test on your skin, not only a blotter.
What about IFRA and oakmoss?
IFRA sets industry limits on some naturals and synthetics. A reformulation is usually a legal edit, not a betrayal. This atlas is not a safety sheet.
Icons for Sandalwood are bottles and people — Nahéma, Chanel, Guerlain stay as names.
Scores below are editorial marks inside this atlas, not lab assays.
People
Bois des Îles
1926– · France
Aldehydic sandal couture.
Bois des Îles (1926–, France) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Bois des Îles as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Santal 33
2011– · United States
Pickle-cedar-sandal; a 2010s city uniform.
Santal 33 (2011–, United States) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Santal 33 as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Tam Dao
2003– · France
Temple sandal-cedar as a quiet European memory.
Tam Dao (2003–, France) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Tam Dao as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Kannauj attar
c. 1600s– · India
Sandal as the receiver oil for rose and mogra.
Kannauj attar (c. 1600s–, India) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Kannauj attar as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Jean-Paul Guerlain
1937– · France
Samsara’s author; last family nose of that sandal scale.
Jean-Paul Guerlain (1937–, France) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Jean-Paul Guerlain as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Javanol
2000s– · Switzerland
The molecule that replaced vanished album in briefs.
Javanol (2000s–, Switzerland) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Javanol as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Santalum album
— · India
The species behind chandan, attar and the CITES story.
Santalum album (—, India) is still the story a counter tells when this family needs a name.
Read Santalum album as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Sandalwood is argued.
Debate
- Album vs Javanol — Whether a creamy synth without Mysore is still sandalwood.
- Temple vs pickle — Samsara milk versus Santal 33’s savory city wood.
An icon is a brief that other Sandalwood formulas still answer.
Origins & milestonesNotes & accordsCraft & methodCulture & meaningIcons & legendsHow to wearMarket & bottles