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