Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) vs Silver Fir
Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) and Silver Fir are both woody essential oils. Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) carries a base note (soft, woody), while Silver Fir sits as a heart note (fresh, woody). For topical use, Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%, while Silver Fir tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) vs Silver Fir at a glance
| Attribute | Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) | Silver Fir |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Santalum austrocaledonicum | Abies alba |
| Aroma family | Woody | Woody |
| Perfumery note | Base | Heart |
| Aroma | soft, woody, creamy, nutty | fresh, woody, balsamic, bright |
| Chemical family | Sesquiterpenol | Monoterpene |
| Max topical dilution | 10% | 10% |
| Max facial dilution | 5% | 5% |
| Pregnancy | No specific caution recorded | No specific caution recorded |
| Children | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| Pets | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Not recommended |
| Extraction | Steam distillation | Steam distillation |
Which should you choose?
Reach for Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) when you want a base-note soft, woody character, and Silver Fir for a heart-note fresh, woody one. On safety, Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) is the safer choice around pets (Silver Fir is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.
Get the right drops-per-bottle with the drops & dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) and Silver Fir?
Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) and Silver Fir are both woody essential oils. Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) carries a base note (soft, woody), while Silver Fir sits as a heart note (fresh, woody). For topical use, Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) tops out at 10%, while Silver Fir tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Can you blend Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) and Silver Fir together?
They can be combined, but Sandalwood (Pacific/Vanuatu) and Silver Fir 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.