15 Best Sandalwood Perfumes, Tested and Reviewed for 2024

Le Labo’s Santal 33 is legendary on TikTok and seemingly beloved by everyone—even Niall Horan is a fan. I can confirm: yes, it’s really that good. In fact, many Cosmo editors deemed it the best of the best. Santal 33 smells fresh and woodsy on me, not particularly sweet or warm, which is good for those who prefer a crisp scent. Part of the fun of this perfume is that it smells slightly different on everyone, so it can be everyone’s signature scent.

• Notes: Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, leather accord, musk

Glowing Customer Review: “I’d take a bath in this scent if I could afford it. I hope I’m buried with a bottle when I die.”

Several Henry Rose scents have notes of sandalwood, but Queen & Monsters is the best, IMO. Described by the brand as “amber gourmand,” Queen & Monsters combines base notes of sandalwood with top notes of violet leaf, neroli, and petitgrain to create a scent that is somehow not too spicy or sweet.

• Top notes: Violet leaf, neroli, petitgrain
• Middle notes: Freesia, jasmine
• Bottom notes: Vanilla, coco musk, sandalwood

Glowing Customer Review: “An amazing scent indeed! Rich, sensual, and sweet—it radiates warmth and sophistication. Whenever I put it on, I simply can’t resist smelling it. This is undoubtedly a fragrance masterpiece! I can’t help feeling sexy and confident while wearing it. Highly recommend!”

Sweet, vanilla fragrances can quickly feel juvenile if they’re too one-note. But Mix:Bar’s Vanilla Bourbon scent avoids that trap thanks to its spicy bourbon undertone, which adds dimension to the sweetness.

• Notes: Bergamot, jasmine, apple blossom, Madagascar vanilla bean, sandalwood

Glowing Customer Review: “I fell madly in love with this scent…it is warm and reminds me of a cozy sweater or a hug from a close friend. It is intoxicating! I rushed out and purchased the body mist, it will be one of my go-to fragrances. And the price is wonderful.”

When you think of sandalwood perfume, you don’t necessarily think of something fruity, but you should. Noteworthy’s n,008 is a bright, fruity scent that mixes top notes of pear and bottom notes of sandalwood to create a really creamy, yet crisp scent. I could wear this every day, no matter the season or occasion.

• Top notes: Pear, pink pepper
• Middle notes: Gardenia, turkish rose, cyclamen
• Bottom notes: Sandalwood, cashmeran

Glowing Customer Review: “The most amazing scent and compliments me so well. It’s invigorating and blends and warms to my skin and hair. It’s light and continues to smell wonderful for the entire day.

Brown Girl Jane’s Casablanca uses sandalwood as a basenote to help create a warm, smoky brown sugar scent that’s not too sweet. Many reviewers also love this perfume because of its versatility, noting it can easily be layered to create their perfect scent.

• Top notes: Marshmallow, cardamom, incense
• Middle notes: Saffron, soft suede, vanilla orchid
• Bottom notes: Glowing amber, soft musks, sandalwood

Glowing Customer Review: “This has become my new favorite fragrance. It has hypnotizing notes that mesmerize your senses and deliver a sexy smooth attitude for the day!”

This one’s for those who prefer a more traditional, powdery floral scent. Described as a spicy floral, Not Your Baby is a great option for perfume fans who want to expand into warmer scents.

• Top notes: Cardamom, bergamot
• Heart notes: Mimosa, violet
• Base notes: Vanilla milk, sandalwood, tonka beans

Glowing Customer Review: “This perfume is actual perfection—it smells warm, but sophisticated and flirty, but somehow also professional? I was scared it was going to be too overpowering, but it’s perfect for every situation. A little goes a long way.“

I’m not lying when I say that New York Nights smells like a caramel macchiato, thanks to notes of caramel, coffee, and vanilla. It’s a sexy scent that’s warm and just sweet enough to make you do a double-take. It’s also not too overpowering, so it won’t bother your co-workers at the office.

• Notes: Jasmine, gardenia, carnation, patchouli, sandalwood, marine accord, coffee, caramel

Glowing. Customer Review: “This is definitely a year-round scent that can be worn day or night. I love the gourmand blend to it, which gives it a wonderful finish… This is a feel good scent that smells yummy without being too sweet, but sexy enough to be worn by any age group.”

True story: the day I wore this perfume, multiple people told me I smelled like an elevated Abercrombie & Fitch store. If you liked A&F’s Fierce back in the day, you’re going to LOVE Vodka on the Rocks. Just spritz a few sprays, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to 2004.

• Notes: Aldehydes, cardamom, oakmoss

Glowing Customer Review: “Got this for my husband to wear on our wedding day and let me tell you, EVERYONE complimented how great he smelled, even after an evening of dancing. It’s amazing!!”

Tam Dao was inspired by the Goa sandalwood and Diptyque co-founder Yve Coueslant’s childhood summers spent in Tonkin, a French colony at the time that’s now part of Vietnam. The fragrance is definitely woodsy, but not spicy, and it’s subtle enough to work in any season. (Note that you get 77 ml of product, vs. 50 ml.)

• Notes: Sandalwood, cedar, cypress, myrtle

Glowing Customer Review: “The fragrance is a bit strong at first… Give it a couple minutes and it settles down to a beautiful, soft sandalwood.”

This perfume will take you on a ride. Though it starts out powdery, it quickly morphs into a warmer, honey scent. The sweetness is balanced out by notes of dark rum, separating it from other gourmand sandalwood-based scents.

• Top notes: Dark rum, davana
• Middle notes: Honey, bran absolute, cinnamon
• Dry notes: Sandalwood, vanilla bean, cocoa absolute

Glowing Customer Review: “It’s a yummy honey, powdery scent with a hint of booze that could read as beeswax on the skin.”

Many sandalwood perfumes feature notes of vanilla, but this new Tom Ford scent takes it to a whole new level. Vanilla Sex is, well, vanilla through and through, though the sandalwood keeps it from smelling like pure sugar. It’s about as close to putting vanilla extract on your pulse points as you can get.

• Notes: Vanilla tincture, vanilla absolute, sandalwood essence

Glowing Customer Review: “I am a ride or die vanilla gourmand girlie. Vanilla Lace by Victoria’s Secret was my go-to for years (I even bought it in bulk before it was discontinued). I got a sample of this and I absolutely love it!! It’s like Vanilla Lace grew up and got a big girl job.”

Sacred Santal has notes of cardamom and pepper, giving the scent a slight spicy kick that wears down to a more creamy, sandalwood fragrance. It also has notes of leather, meant to evoke memories of nature and exploration.

• Top notes: Cardamom, pepper
• Heart notes: Leather, iris, violet leaf
• Base notes: Sandalwood, cedar

Glowing Customer Review: “This scent is very concentrated. I only use one spritz and it lasts hours, nothing weak about this perfume. The perfume itself is clear, so no risk of staining clothing, which is always a bonus. The bottle is nicely sized and should last me several months at least. Overall, very happy—this would make an excellent gift for people who like warmer/musky scents.”

Sol de Janeiro’s signature fragrance is technically a body mist, not a perfume, but you didn’t really think I’d round up the best sandalwood perfumes and not include it, did you? This scent is basically summertime in a bottle. One whiff, and you’ll feel like you’re lounging on a beach sipping a Piña colada.

• Top notes: Pistachio, almond
• Middle notes: Heliotrope, jasmine petals
• Dry notes: Vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood

Glowing Customer Review: “This is my absolute favorite scent. The first time I tried it, I was hooked. I’ll reach for this before I reach for almost anything else. It lasts forever and smells amazing.”

Pro tip: layering your fragrance will elevate any and all of your favorite scents. One of the easiest ways to start experimenting is by getting a fragrance oil. This one from Tory Burch adds a sandalwood base to any perfume. You can wear it alone for a subtle scent, or spray your fave fragrance on top to add some dimension. (Personally, I love layering this with Tom Ford’s Vanilla Sex.)

• Top notes: Ginger extract, elemi
• Middle notes: Vetiver, cedar, balsamic
• Base notes: Australian sandalwood, dreamwood

Glowing Customer Review: “The oil feels nice on my skin and doesn’t leave an unappealing greasy feel. The dropper dispenses the perfect amount, and all you really need is a little bit. I add a drop to the wrist and dab on my neck.”

If you want to smell like Timothée Chalamet, now’s your chance. Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend is currently the face of Bleu de Chanel, a sandalwood fragrance that has notes of citrus, creating a fresh scent that’s just strong enough to get your attention.

• Notes: Citrus accord, labdanum, sandalwood cedar

Glowing Customer Review: “This fragrance is so unique and distinct, but in a good way. Fresh, clean, but also a little musky and woody. Very masculine and lasts all day long.”

If the woody scent of sandalwood is what’s most important to you in a perfume, cosmetic lab technician Nicole Pozniak suggests looking for perfumes with sandalwood base notes. “This will ensure that its warm, woody notes last throughout your busy day,” Pozniak says.

You should also consider what other fragrance notes you enjoy. If you prefer a powdery perfumes, you might want to look for floral notes, like jasmine. But if you’d rather go with something crisp, look for notes of citrus and bergamot. And notes of vanilla and amber will give a warm, creamier feel.

• Nicole Pozniak is a Cosmetic Lab Technician at KTT Innovation Labs, which specializes in formulating clean beauty products. KTT Labs has worked with many beauty brands, including Tower 28, Rhode, and Goop.