Pterocarpus Santalinus
Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Red Sandalwood
Type of tree found native to south India | Used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Pterocarpus Santalinus?
Pterocarpus santalinus, commonly known as red sandalwood, is a type of tree found in the Eastern Ghats Mountain range of south India. Various parts of the tree have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries (both ingested and applied topically).
As with many plant extracts, different parts of Pterocarpus santalinus yield different responses when applied to skin. Research finds that in addition to its natural antioxidant properties, the extract from this tree contains skin-beneficial ingredients such as calming bisabolol and moisturizing squalene. Studies have determined that the extract can help improve the appearance and feel of irritated skin.
That said, the oil extracted from Pterocarpus santalinus is comprised of volatile fragrance terpenes that can cause skin irritation. One study also found that a traditional bark paste made with water or honey used to treat acne resulted in itchy, red skin and mild swelling. Therefore, this is another case where it’s important to check a product’s ingredient list to see what part of the plant is used to see what benefits – or potential issues – it might have.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Journal of Ethnopharmacology, August 2021 and October 2021, ePublication [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390937911_Antioxidant_Cytotoxic_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_Pterocarpus_santalinus_Leaves]
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Journal of King Saud University – Science, March 2020, pages 1712-1717 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018364720300082]
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Planta Medica, May 2019, pages 599-607 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9876689/]
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