There are many quick-and-easy methods to cut back stress—meditating for 5 minutes, going for a stroll across the block, taking a couple of deep breaths—and discovering which one is finest for you is undoubtedly a private endeavor. What’s labored for me, although, may simply be the only one in every of all: inhaling a sandalwood fragrance.
The nice and cozy, woodsy scent actually tantalizes the senses. It is mysterious and horny; sensual however not aggressive; comforting but confidence-boosting. Spritzing myself with sandalwood has change into an everyday a part of my routine zen-inducing routine, and apparently, there is a scientific motive why it really works so effectively to sit back me out.
“The odor of the sandalwood oil is especially easy and sweet-woody,” says Jacques Huclier, a senior perfumer at Givaudan, including that it is paying homage to a milky cream. Sandalwood has lengthy been utilized in Ayurvedic traditions as each fragrance and incense, because it helps promote psychological readability. “It facilitates the sensation of leisure and peace, which is why it’s steadily used for meditation,” says Nathalie Feisthauer, an award-winning Grasp Perfumer from Paris.
Apparently, there’s precise science to again this up. A 2017 research in Worldviews in Proof-Primarily based Nursing discovered that sniffing a sandalwood-lavender scent decreased nervousness higher than orange-peppermint aromatherapy or a placebo, whereas an older paper in Complementary Therapies in Scientific Apply concluded that sandalwood oil has anxiety-minimizing results.
“Sandalwood, native to India and named Latin Santalum Album, belongs to the class of aromatic timber or fragrant woods,” says Feisthauer. “It’s turning into more and more uncommon, and more and more costly; the worth of the oil will increase significantly because the tree grows.” In different phrases, sandalwood is much like a wonderful wine—the older it’s, the extra useful it turns into. In accordance with Huclier, a tree should be greater than 30 years outdated earlier than it is prepared to supply the standard of oil that is sometimes utilized in fragrances.
Fortunately, sandalwood has excellent endurance. “Whenever you dip a blotter in a bottle of this oil, the odor stays on for a lot of days,” Huclier says. So although sandalwood perfumes are expensive, you may spend money on them realizing that their velvety end will keep put in your strain factors for straightforward entry to immediate stress reduction.
Prepared to do that mood-boosting scent your self? These editor-approved sandalwood perfumes under will make you are feeling comfy — even when it is only for a second.

Krigler Delicate Orchid — $615.00
A comfortable mixture of espresso, vanilla, and sandalwood looks like a heat embrace, and hints of patchouli and lemon steadiness out the refined floral sweetness that contribute to this French fragrance’s femininity. We love that this bouquet-forward fragrance is tremendous velvety (dare we are saying ethereal) and well-balanced. With hints of solace and seduction, sniffing this one is nearly like being held by your new flame.

Le Labo, Jasmin 17 — $99.00
Removed from these fundamental floral perfumes you’re bored of, this vivid scent marries aromatic white flowers with sensuous sandalwood for an intoxicating combo that’ll preserve you hooked. That is the kind of fragrance you should purchase blindly or reward. We discover Le Labo’s Jasmin 17 to be simply wearable from day to nighttime, however honest warning: This jasmine-inspired scent is not any wallflower — everybody will ask you what you’re carrying.

Donna Karan, Cashmere Mist — $130.00
Image sitting fireplace wrapped in a cashmere sweater, as a result of that is precisely the vibe this soothing eau de parfum offers off. It combines lily of the valley, Moroccan jasmine, and sandalwood for an oh-so-cozy scent that’s as versatile as it’s inoffensive. The bottle, designed by Karan’s sculptor husband, was impressed by the feminine physique; and the middle-of-the-road worth level means you may spritz this in your garments, in your sheets, in your hair, in every single place.

Krigler, Abrakaadabra — $40.00
With sandalwood, lily of the valley, and musk, this heat, floral scent sneaks simply sufficient spice to command consideration. The aldehydes on this fragrance assure the scent will final in your pores and skin and undertaking effectively for hours. Abrakaadabra is rooted in lore, with notes of Scottish Hawthorn, which is claimed to manifest energy, resilience, and sensuality (issues we might all use a bit extra of, proper?).

Le Labo, Santal 33 — $230.00
Woody, leathery, and barely smoky, but well-blended with hints of iris and violet, this fragrance encapsulates thriller and energy in its minimalistic, apothecary-style flacon. You’ll be able to simply layer it with a heat vanilla scent to spherical out its depth however Le Labo’s cult following is aware of you may put on this coveted scent by itself.
Our editors independently choose these merchandise. Making a purchase order by way of our hyperlinks might earn Nicely+Good a fee.