Cascarilla vs Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)
Cascarilla and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) are both woody essential oils. Cascarilla carries a base note (warm, woody), while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) sits as a base note (soft, woody). For topical use, Cascarilla tops out at 5%, while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Cascarilla vs Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) at a glance
| Attribute | Cascarilla | Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Croton eluteria | Santalum austrocaledonicum |
| Aroma family | Woody | Woody |
| Perfumery note | Base | Base |
| Aroma | warm, woody, spicy, sweet | soft, woody, creamy, nutty |
| Chemical family | Monoterpene | Sesquiterpenol |
| Max topical dilution | 5% | 10% |
| Max facial dilution | 2.5% | 5% |
| Pregnancy | No specific caution recorded | No specific caution recorded |
| Children | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| Pets | Not recommended | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| Extraction | Steam distillation | Steam distillation |
Which should you choose?
Cascarilla leans warm, 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 Cascarilla needs the tighter 5% topical limit. On safety, Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) is the safer choice around pets (Cascarilla is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.
Plan safe amounts with our essential oil dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Cascarilla and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu)?
Cascarilla and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) are both woody essential oils. Cascarilla carries a base note (warm, woody), while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) sits as a base note (soft, woody). For topical use, Cascarilla tops out at 5%, while Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Can you blend Cascarilla and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) together?
They can be combined, but Cascarilla and Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) aren't a classic pairing — start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
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.