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16 best sandalwood perfumes, tested and reviewed for 2025, starting at £30
To Le Labo Santal 33 and beyond!
If there's one thing about me that you can bet your bottom dollar on is that everyday I will be wearing perfume and that perfume will have sandalwood in it. It's gotten to the point that Cosmo beauty writer Lia will smell a new launch loaded with the note and immediately go "that smells like you!". And, tbf if I smell a light, girly floral scent I think 'Lia will love this' – so what can I say we are beauty besties. Anyway, back to the point – I am a sandalwood connoisseur.
Odds are if you have more than a few fragrances sitting on your dressing table, you’ve probably already used (and loved) a sandalwood perfume. So consider this your deep dive into the woody, creamy scent that’ll have everyone asking, “What perfume are you wearing?”
Though many people associate sandalwood with winter perfumes, but I wear sandalwood perfumes all year round and actually I love layering a lot of mine with sweeter notes like vanilla. This is because sandalwood is a good base note, aka foundation, for any kind of fragrance. “Not only does sandalwood deliver a distinct woody scent, but it exhibits fixative properties,” says Nicole Pozniak, a cosmetic lab technician at KKT Innovation Labs. “It emphasises and complements the aromatic properties of other fragrance notes, and provides a longer-lasting scent.”
Our top picks for the best sandalwood perfumes of 2025:
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Best Nostalgic Sandalwood Perfume
Kilian Vodka on the Rocks Eau de Parfum Refillable Spray 50ml
Read review - 5
So, because it’s versatile and plays well with other scents, sandalwood perfumes can be in pretty much any scent family—from floral to spicy. To help pin down which sandalwood perfume is right for you, I went on the hunt and gave my nose a workout to find the best sandalwood scents out there.
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. I call it my 'sexy man' scent because it genuinely smells like the best, most well-dressed man and I think it has the power to bewitch me into thinking that people are attractive when really they just smell incredible.
Part of the fun of this perfume is that it smells slightly different on everyone, so it can be everyone’s signature scent. And while it has been duped to infinity I still think that nothing beats the original.
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."
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."
Kilian Vodka on the Rocks Eau de Parfum Refillable Spray 50ml
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 fragrance 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 woody, but not spicy, and it’s subtle enough to work in any season.
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."
Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum 50ml
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."
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist Various Sizes - 90ml
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 favourite 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."
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."
Pro tip: layering your fragrance will elevate any and all of your favourite 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."
Chanel BLEU DE CHANEL Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml
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."
When it comes to Byredo scents, it feels like everyone goes for Blanche and Gypsy Water but this is a sneaky fave amongst the Cosmo team, with one saying, "If you loved the freshness the Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance collection had to offer when you were younger, this is along the same lines but a lot more sophisticated– a perfume big sister, if you will."
Top Notes: Ambrette, Jamaican Nesberry
Heart Notes: Violet, Sandalwood, Magnolia
Base Notes: Chantilly Musk, Crisp Amber, Cedar Wood
Zara perfumes are viral for a reason there last long, they smell incredible and they are so affordable. This scent which was created by thee Jo Malone, is a lil spicy thanks to the cardamon but the jasmine running through it give a floral softness.
Notes: Cardamom, jasmine and sandalwood
Glowing customer review: "Zara's version of Santal 33"
If you didn't know that your fave bath time shop does perfumes then you better get to know! Shade is a true sandalwood scent – t's really warm and woody and thanks to the mix of olibanum, it's really bold. I like to layer this with an earthier scent for a balance.
Notes: Olibanum and sandalwood
Glowing customer review: "Stunning fragrance it’s dry woody and super long lasting such a cozy scent that will get you compliments"
Given that at Cosmo Beauty we are anti-gatekeeping, I'll letting you in on a secret – Commodity is one of the most underrated fragrance brands out there. I wear Paper- at least once a week and I always get a compliment on it.
It kinda works like Escentric Molecules in that the first note (Iso E Super) is powered by your ph but that blended with the cedarwood and sandalwood is *chef's kiss* for a woody scent lover as it lingers on your skin in the most cosy, warm way for hours beyond first spritz.
Notes: Iso E Super, cedarwood and sandalwood
Glowing customer review: "I love paper . It’s perfect with my ph balance . I love it, it’s warm & makes me want to give hugs."
When I wear this, I literally feel like perhaps I could be be feasting at a gigantic wooden table decorated with fresh foliage, sitting with 1800s royalty, belly laughing and sporting a frilled collar – it's giving that level of rich. I love the freshness of the cypress and chamomile meshed with ginger and the grounding of sandalwood.
Top Notes: Juniper, Ginger, Nutmeg
Heart Notes: Cypress, Chamomile, Cistus, Myrtle
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Iris, Amber
Glowing customer review: "Aromatic winter garden, fresh, a little spicy, very mysterious. Once of my favourite travel bottles from the liberty calendar. The full bottle is so expensive!"
How to find the best sandalwood perfume for you:
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.
Meet the expert:
- 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.
Why trust Cosmo:
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan US with over 10 years of experience writing about culture and beauty. She is a makeup lover who can be found writing about everything from the best mild shampoos to UV nail lamps. She loves trying out new fragrances and is currently dabbling in layering different perfumes to find her signature scent.
Keeks Reid is beauty director at Cosmopolitan UK. She's tested hundred of perfumes and met with the nose behind scents like Santal 33, Glossier You and Ariana Grande REM.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
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