Sandalwood (Australian) vs Vetiver
Sandalwood (Australian) and Vetiver are both woody essential oils. Sandalwood (Australian) carries a base note (soft, creamy), while Vetiver sits as a base note (deep, earthy). For topical use, Sandalwood (Australian) tops out at 10%, while Vetiver tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Sandalwood (Australian) vs Vetiver at a glance
| Attribute | Sandalwood (Australian) | Vetiver |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Santalum spicatum | Vetiveria zizanioides |
| Aroma family | Woody | Woody |
| Perfumery note | Base | Base |
| Aroma | soft, creamy | deep, earthy |
| Chemical family | Sesquiterpenol | Sesquiterpenol |
| Max topical dilution | 10% | 10% |
| Max facial dilution | 5% | 5% |
| Pregnancy | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| 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?
Sandalwood (Australian) leans soft, creamy, while Vetiver leans deep, earthy — pick whichever aroma you want to lead the blend.
Not sure how much to use? Try the free dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Sandalwood (Australian) and Vetiver?
Sandalwood (Australian) and Vetiver are both woody essential oils. Sandalwood (Australian) carries a base note (soft, creamy), while Vetiver sits as a base note (deep, earthy). For topical use, Sandalwood (Australian) tops out at 10%, while Vetiver tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Can you blend Sandalwood (Australian) and Vetiver together?
Yes — Sandalwood (Australian) and Vetiver are commonly paired and complement each other in blends.
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.