While most people are familiar with white sandalwood, there is not that much spotlight being given to its equally amazing twin— red sandalwood. This tree predominantly grows in India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia and known to be the source of red sandalwood powder which has astounding benefits in Ayurveda medicine and skincare. To give you an idea, here are some notable red sandalwood powder uses being used up to this day.
1. Soothing Massage or Reflexology
One of the most common red sandalwood powder uses that often escape the public’s attention is in massage or reflexology. This powder has a cooling and calming effect to the skin that allows full relaxation and relief from irritable symptoms. Simply add a teaspoon of red sandalwood powder to your choice of massage oil. Rub it into the back in circular motion to relieve tension and discomfort.
2. Pimple Remover
Excessive oil and sebum deposits can attract dirt and impurities clogging the pores leading to the formation of pesky pimples. To get rid of breakouts, make a paste of red sandalwood powder, turmeric, and water. Add a drop of camphor oil for a cooling effect. Apply onto the face and rinse with lukewarm water.
3. Facial Toner
Unbalanced skin tone? Formation of skin pigmentation can be caused by many things like exposure to sun, liver problems and so on. To keep skin balanced as well as remove uneven tone, add cocoa oil and almond oil to red sandalwood powder to form a paste. Massage face with the paste and leave it on for the night.
4. Anti-Aging
Crow’s feet, wrinkles, and sagging are the first signs of skin aging. Reinvigorate your skin by using a potent combination of red sandalwood powder (4 teaspoons) and strong chamomile tea (2 teaspoons; steeped and cooled). These two elements possess potent antioxidants and detoxifiers leaving the skin renewed and moisturized. Some also standby the efficacy of combining red sandalwood powder, glycerin, and rosewater for daily use to counter early signs of aging.
5. Acne and Scar Removal
Red sandalwood powder uses its antimicrobial properties in fighting acne and scars that usually appear on the face, neck, chest, back and upper arms. Create a paste out of one tablespoon sandalwood powder, one tablespoon turmeric powder and a pinch of camphor with rosewater. Apply the paste directly on the affected parts. Leave the paste overnight and rinse well the morning after.
6. Prickly Heat Relief
The dogged days of summer can bring about heat and sweat leading to itchy and irritating heat rash. To soothe and cool the burning sensation and, importantly, to eliminate heat rash—mix two tablespoons of red sandalwood powder mixed with 2 tablespoons water to form a thick paste. This concoction is deemed safe for children, too.
7. Sunburn Relief
Another offshoot of summer is sunburn. Too much exposure to the sun can lead to itchy and painful patches on the back, arms, and face. To sooth and prevent further irritation, create a paste made from mixing 4 tablespoons sandalwood powder, 4 tablespoons cocoa oil and 2 tablespoons almond oil. Apply directly to the affected areas. Let the skin absorb the concoction for 15 to 30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
8. Insect Defender
Red sandalwood powder uses its healing powder in relieving insect bites. Simply mix the powder with turmeric and lavender oil to be used as a topical cream in treating swelling and itchiness of insect bites. Many holistic practitioners also make good use of this concoction to repel insects.
9. Skin Whitener
Ditch whitening lotions and creams due to their harmful ingredients. If you want to lighten your skin complexion, make your own whitening cream. Simply mix one tablespoon red sandalwood powder with one spoon almond powder mixed with rosewater to create a paste. Apply leisurely to the face and neck as often as possible to reveal fairer flawless complexion.
10. Treat Skin Diseases
Often taken for granted, red sandalwood powder uses its inherent healing power in treating various skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema as well as rashes and allergies. Simply create a topical cream made from mixing red sandalwood powder, camphor, and water and apply to affected skin.
Without a doubt, the aforementioned red sandalwood powder uses have always been deemed true by many. Experts in homeopathic and holistic medicine have always revered the red sandalwood tree for its astounding healing properties. This holistic approach to healing is also suitable for all skin types thus, making it the ultimate solution in skincare.