Why Aussies are turning to this little-known 'ancient ingredient' for an instantly glowing complexion - and even Megan Gale is a fan: 'Liquid gold'
- Perth beauty brand Heartwood embraces benefits of Indian sandalwood
- READ MORE: This 'illuminating' facial left me with glowing skin
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Beauty and skincare lovers are cottoning onto a little-known ancient ingredient that has a multitude of beneficial health and wellness uses.
Well-being and natural beauty retailer Heartwood is embracing the goodness of Indian Sandalwood, an ingredient revered for thousands of years by cultures and religions all over the world for its unique nutritive properties.
Founder Alex Wilson, from Perth, has developed a range of 'clean' beauty products under Heartwood which is loved by celebrities including Megan Gale and Julie Bishop.
Each product utilises the potential benefits of Indian Sandalwood known as 'liquid gold' which has been found to brighten, tighten, cool, protect the skin and calm the mind.
Beauty brand Heartwood is embracing the goodness of a valuable ingredient revered for thousands of years by cultures and religions all over the world for its unique properties
Founder Alex Wilson (pictured), from Perth, has developed a range of 'clean' beauty products under Heartwood loved by celebrities including Megan Gale and Julie Bishop
Out of all the varieties of sandalwood, Indian is the most prized due to its high concentration of alpha santalol which is responsible for its alluring woody scent.
'There are compounds within the oil in the heartwood of sandalwood that have this ability to make you feel really calm and grounded. So they really relax the nervous system,' Alex explained.
'Those compounds are called santalol and Indian sandalwood has about three times the volume of than any other standard wood in the world, making it the most superior of all the species of sandalwood.'
Indian Sandalwood is said to relieve dehydrated skin and treat dry skin conditions such as eczema, to restore moisture and radiance.
It also has properties that can work as an anti-inflammatory to cool, soothe, and soften the skin, bringing down redness and irritation, and alleviating symptoms of rosacea and eczema.
'It's really good for breaking down pigmentation and sunspots. It's very good for acne-prone skin because it's extremely antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral. It also works as a spot treatment,' Alex explained.
'It's very stringent as well so it can tighten pores, fine lines and wrinkles. There's nothing it doesn't do. It's a dream ingredient.'
Each product utilises the potential benefits of Indian Sandalwood known as 'liquid gold' which has been found to brighten, tighten, cool, protect the skin and calm the mind
Alex has always had a 'fascination' with the versatile resource as her family started farming it when she was young in the Kimberley, Northern Territory and northern Queensland.
It takes 20 years to grow one tree with Indian Sandalwood which is found in the 'heartwood' of the trunk.
'I've always been surrounded by this beautiful, fragrant wood. It's always been a dream of mine to bring Indian sandalwood to life in a contemporary way to the Australian market,' Alex said.
'My goal with Heartwood was to really educate a modern audience about the beautiful benefits of this sacred wood and create something that was truly meaningful.'
Heartwood's luxurious range of Indian sandalwood products includes serums, oils, candles, face masks, scented pillow slips jewellery and perfumes.
In 2019, Alex opened the Heartwood store in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe where shoppers can browse the range as well as buys from 'some of the best natural beauty brands in the world' carefully selected by her.
In 2019, Alex opened the Heartwood store where shoppers can browse the range as well as buys from 'some of the best natural beauty brands in the world' carefully selected by her
Alex has always had a 'fascination' with the versatile resource as her family started farming it when she was young in the Kimberley, Northern Territory and northern Queensland
Customers can also create their own perfumes and book in for a range of lavish treatments including facials and massages performed by experienced beauty therapists.
Australian politician Julie Bishop paid Heartwood a visit to create a custom perfume and frequents the store to get regular facials.
Model Megan Gale is a supporter of the brand and has been spotted in the Indian sandalwood Mala beads.
Heartwood's Royal Collection is a premium line of Indian Sandalwood products and has made its way into many fans' skincare cabinets.
The $95 Royal Revival Hydration serum has a lightweight formula made to deeply replenish and hydrate the skin, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles and instantly plump on the first application.
The Royal Oil for $140 was one of the first products Alex developed for Heartwood and is perfect for those with age spots, sun damage, dullness, uneven skin tone and dryness.
Heartwood's Royal Collection is a premium line of Indian Sandalwood products and has made its way into many fans skincare cabinets
Its benefits for the skin are complemented by the heavenly and calming scent and aided by natural ingredients including frankincense and jojoba which is rich in Vitamin E.
You can smell like a dream with the $95 Royal Oil body and hair nourishing hydrating perfume oil made to de-stress and renew the skin, hair and senses.
You can smell like a dream with the $95 Royal Oil body and hair nourishing hydrating perfume oil made to de-stress and renew the skin, hair and senses
The $95 buy acts as both a perfume and a skin treatment to use on the neck, decolletage, ends of hair, arms, legs and all over to experience the deeply nutritive properties of Indian sandalwood.
Heartwood's Royal Treatment Sheet Mask for $20 can help shoppers test out the benefits of Indian sandalwood on their skin.
The single-use treatment can calm, brighten and hydrate the skin and is formulated to visibly reduce discolouration and redness, smooth uneven texture, and deliver intense moisture.
It's not just the skin that can experience the luxury of sandalwood. Heartwood has a fragrance range to make any home smell like a calming sanctuary.
There is the $95 King of Woods Indian Sandalwood Candle as well as a pack of Indian Sandalwood incense for $40 as well as incense stick holders ranging from $50 up to $500.
To shop the Heartwood range, click here.
Top 10 beauty buys with Indian Sandalwood from Heartwood
Clear-up Face Oil for Breakouts and Acne Repair - $50
- Royal Revival | Indian Sandalwood Hydration Serum - $95
- Indian Sandalwood Face Oil for Sensitive Skin 30ml - $140
- Royal Oil Protective Antioxidant Face Brightening Oil 30ml - $140
- Indian Sandalwood Incense - $40
- Felicity silver 25 Bead Indian Sandalwood Mala Bracelet - $150
- Touch Wood Eau de Parfum Natural ft. Sandalwood, Frankincense, Vetiver Perfume Notes - from $20
- Clear-up Face Oil for Breakouts and Acne Repair - $50
- Indian Sandalwood Artisanal Soap for Body + Face - $45
- Royal Oil Body + Hair Sandalwood Nourishing Hydrating Perfume Oil - $95
- King of Woods | Indian Sandalwood Candle - $95
