We've already talked about the prevalence of beloved notes like rose and vanilla in what feels like the majority of our favorite perfumes, and cozy sandalwood is another unanimous favorite. It manages to feel warm and woody, but it also possesses a creamy richness, which makes it the perfect base note for a wide range of fragrances—not just the sweet, spicy, and musky types you might initially assume.
Whether you already love sandalwood like we do or are new to or unsure of the popular note, we're going to go ahead and say adding a sandalwood perfume to your fall fragrance wardrobe is one of the best moves you can make this season (especially in the "You smell so good" compliment department).
Thanks to the scent's surprising versatility, we're of the strong belief that the perfect warm and inviting sandalwood perfume exists for anyone who loves to wear fragrance or who just wants to smell intoxicatingly lovely. Does that sound over-the-top? Just wait because we've tested, reviewed, and rounded up the top 13 sandalwood perfumes to prove just how serious we are. Keep scrolling!
The 13 Best Sandalwood Perfumes of 2024
- Best Overall: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
- Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum
- Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum
- Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule Perfume
- Acqua di Parma Yuzu Eau de Parfum
- Lake Skye Santal Gray Eau de Parfum
- Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
- Frédéric Malle Dans Tes Bras Eau de Parfum
- Henry Rose Queens Monsters Eau de Parfum
- Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum
- D.S. Durga Radio Bombay Eau de Parfum
- Sana Jardin Sandalwood Temple Eau de Parfum
- DedCool Fragrance 02
Best Overall: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Cedarwood, sandalwood, cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox, leather
No sandalwood perfume collection would ever be complete without this icon from Le Labo, which, apart from the Chanel No.5s of the world, just might be the most famous perfume of all time. The addition of cedarwood strategically enhances the obvious all-star: Australian sandalwood.
Customer Review: "I’m blessed and lucky to say this is my everyday perfume. There is a multitude of reasons why. One, I love to smell it on myself. You only need one spray. Two, it’s subtle but distinctive and pleasantly lingers. Three, you will randomly get stopped and asked, 'What are you wearing?' So if you’re a social butterfly like me, it’s great conversation."
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Key Notes: Tiare flower, jasmine, lily, tuberose, musk, vanilla
Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, Chantilly musk, crisp amber
Mojave Ghost is one of the, if not the, top-selling fragrances from cult-loved perfume brand Byredo. It smells like a crisp fall day—warm, woody, and, as you might have gleaned from its name, inspired by the Mojave Desert.
Customer Review: "I had been debating purchasing for weeks and I threw caution to the wind and bought Mojave Ghost based solely on reviews. Big win! It leans mostly on the floral note, but subtly. On me, it’s fresh and clean with the right touch of earthy for balance. It is quite a beautiful concoction and I will never buy another perfume based only on reviews. I won the scent lottery with this purchase and used up all my luck. Dive in! All is good!"
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Aldehyde, pink pepper, white rose, neroli, peony, violet, blonde wood, musk, sandalwood
Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cedar, cypress, coriander
This best-selling sandalwood perfume from Diptyque is inspired by Indochina forests—it's spicy but has, as the brand describes, a "velvety, milky" scent to keep it grounded and earthy.
Customer Review: "Have gone through two bottles of this and will always have one in my collection. Very elegant and meditative, woody scent—like being in a temple somewhere far away. Longevity is only a few hours for me but the bottle is solid and compact enough to carry around."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Oud, rose, vanilla, incense
Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule Perfume
Key Notes: Sandalwood, bitter cacao
Serge Lutens (one of the premier fragrance houses in Paris) describes this sandalwood perfume as "sandalwood with a capital S," and quite honestly, we'd have to agree. Rich, velvety, and luxurious, this one is for the sandalwood hall of famer and not a rookie.
Customer Review: "Like a warm Moroccan evening. The smell envelopes you. I mix with Amber Sultan, my other favorite."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Sandalwood, saffron, wild carrot
Acqua di Parma Yuzu Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Yuzu, bergamot, Sichuan pepper, lotus, mimosa, violet leaves, jasmine, musk, licorice, sandalwood
Practically fizzy but with an earthiness unlike other fruity fragrances on the market, Yuzu is a unique, compliment-worthy sandalwood perfume.
Customer Review: "Very nice light fragrance."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Bergamot, lemon, orange, petitgrain, lavender, cardamom, sandalwood, amber, tonka bean
Lake Skye Santal Gray Eau De Parfum
Key Notes: Bergamot, cardamom, carrot, watery accord, jasmine, violet leaf, sandalwood, amber, musk
This fragrance sits so deliciously close to the skin that others might actually do a double take when they finally catch a whiff (be warned!). The subtle earthy, floral notes make it quite sexy.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this fragrance—perfect warm and cozy scent for winter. I wish it would last a bit longer than it seems to but it’s one I will never want to go without."
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Key Notes: Ozonic accord, amberwood, white musk
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Exotic rosewood, cardamom, oud wood, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, amber
Oud Wood is the ultimate perfume for anyone who doesn't like a scent that feels too precious or contrived. It features an expert combination of foresty-scented woods that smell classic and comforting yet rare and enticing. According to Tom Ford, Oud Wood envelops the wearer (or sniffer) in rare oud, exotic spices, and cardamom before unfolding into a blend of smells that are rich, dark, and sensual.
Customer Review: "If you’re like me and you have a more discerning fragrance pallet than a common scent like a Bond 9 or Creed, then this fragrance is the one. Hands down, top three fragrances in my collection."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Cinnamon bark oil, ylang-ylang, Australian sandalwood
Frédéric Malle Dans Tes Bras Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Violet, cashmeran, heliotrope, sandalwood, white musk
The brainchild of legendary perfumer Maurice Roucel, this warm and luxurious-smelling sandalwood number is said to be inspired by the comforting feeling of an embrace.
Customer review: "A great release from Frédéric Malle, unique and great longevity, a great unisex scent. I love this one."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Pimento, galbanum, angelica seeds, bay rhum, nutmeg, incense, cedar, patchouli, oakmoss, karanal, musk
Henry Rose Queens Monsters Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Violet leaf, neroli, freesia, jasmine, vanilla, cocoa musk, sandalwood
Not only does Henry Rose's beautiful collection of perfumes smell amazing, but they're also some of the cleanest on the market. Created by Michelle Pfeiffer, the brand is one of the only perfume labels to boast 100% ingredient transparency in addition to being cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and known or suspected carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.
Customer Review: "I have not stopped wearing this since it arrived. The scent is extraordinary and stays all day long. I love how fresh and beautiful you smell while wearing it. The bottle is stunning!"
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Freesia, muguet, rose, violet, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, vanilla bean, patchouli, praline
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, nutmeg, cinnamon, amber wood
Fun fact: Maison Louis Marie has been creating some of the most delicate botanical-based scents since 1792. This one is a true sandalwood star and is the perfect balance between spicy, earthy, and sweet. (Plus, it's clean!)
Customer Review: "I really love this scent! It’s a beautiful combination of woods. Outdoors. Not overpowering. Lasts all day. My new favorite!"
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Cassis, bergamot, black pepper, white rose, oakmoss, musk, tonka
D.S. Durga Radio Bombay Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Radiant wood, copper, cedar, sandalwood, radiant iris, boronia, balsam fir absolute, coconut musk, ambergris
Out of all of D.S. Durga's fantastically unique scents, Radio Bombay has to be one of our all-time favorites. Sandalwood leads at the heart of this perfume, but unexpected accents from creamy peach, coconut, and musk keep it marshmallow smooth.
Customer review: "I absolutely love this scent, which is unusual for me as I usually go for florals. This is definitely a woody scent, would be suitable for a man too I think. Notes are sandalwood, coco, and Iris. The scent lasts for hours. I would definitely buy it again."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Frangipani, gardenia, saffron, yellow lotus, rose absolute, agarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, musk ambrette
Sana Jardin Sandalwood Temple Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Bergamot, neroli, cedarwood heart, sandalwood, vanilla, orange flower water, guaiac wood
A warm and woody aroma, this fragrance is gender-neutral, calming, and rife with some serious notes of sandalwood. It'll wrap you in an aura of earthy mystery.
Customer Review: "I bought this on a blind buy and I'm really pleased with it. It's a lovely scent with a nice sillage. It's sandalwood the way it should be. It's warm, comfortable, but not overpowering. It's not fortified with other strong scents either. It's a lovely accessory instead of being the main."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Italian lemon, clover-leaf oil, Moroccan jasmine absolute, sfuma primofiore
DedCool Fragrance 02
Key Notes: Juniper, green floral, sheer woods, patchouli, sandalwood
Another nontoxic, unisex favorite of ours is DedCool's Fragrance 02. The blend of sweet juniper berries with rich, aromatic sandalwood is a unique flavor combination you can't really find anywhere else.
Customer Review: "I just wanted to try and decided on this scent last minute before checking out and now I'm hooked! It's fresh but musky and will definitely have to replace when I'm out."
We Also Recommend
Key Notes: Fig, black pepper, bergamot, lemon, jasmin, freesia, sandalwood, patchouli
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
