Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) sits as a base note (soft, woody). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) at a glance

AttributeAgarwood (Oud) CO2Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)
Latin nameAquilaria crassnaSantalum austrocaledonicum
Aroma familyWoodyWoody
Perfumery noteBaseBase
Aromadeep, woody, balsamic, smoky, complexsoft, woody, creamy, nutty
Chemical familySesquiterpeneSesquiterpenol
Max topical dilution2%10%
Max facial dilution1%5%
PregnancyNot recommendedNo specific caution recorded
ChildrenNot recommendedGenerally suitable (well diluted)
PetsGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
ExtractionCo2 extractionSteam distillation

Which should you choose?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 leans deep, woody, while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) leans soft, woody — pick whichever aroma you want to lead the blend. For leave-on or sensitive-skin use, note that Agarwood (Oud) CO2 needs the tighter 2% topical limit. On safety, Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) is the safer choice around pregnancy (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided); Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) is the safer choice around children (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.

Work out exact drops with the dilution calculator for your bottle size.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) sits as a base note (soft, woody). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Can you blend Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) together?

They can be combined, but Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) aren't a classic pairing — start with small amounts and adjust to taste.

Which is better during pregnancy, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 or Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a pregnancy caution in our dataset and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) does not — which makes Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) the less cautioned of the two, not one that is established as safe. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.