What Is Sandol?
Sandol is an aroma chemical created in 1998 by a team of perfumery chemists who wanted a reliable sandalwood character that could handle the high temperatures of soap manufacture. It is produced by a multistep synthetic route that starts with simple petrochemical feedstocks, so it is not extracted from any plant material. Every batch is refined until the main isomers reach a purity of more than 92 percent, giving a consistent result from drum to drum.
At room temperature the material looks like a thick, almost syrupy liquid. Freshly made it appears water clear though it can take on a faint straw tone over time without affecting quality. The liquid is heavy enough to feel oily yet still pours easily when warmed slightly.
Because Sandol stays stable in both alkaline and acidic bases it turns up in a wide range of finished goods, from prestige fine fragrance to household cleaners. Supply is steady and large scale production keeps it on the lower end of the cost spectrum, so independent brands and big manufacturers alike lean on it when they want a dependable woody backbone.
Perfumers reach for Sandol when they need a long lasting fixative that survives hot pour processes or aggressive surfactants. Its widespread use means most consumers have experienced it many times without knowing its name.
What Does Sandol Smell Like?
Perfumers file Sandol under the woody family. On a blotter the opening impression is a smooth sandalwood tone that feels creamy rather than dry. Within a minute or two a gentle rosy facet peeks through, adding a petal like lift that keeps the wood from feeling heavy. There is no smoky edge or harsh pencil shaving quality, instead the profile stays rounded and polished.
In classical perfume structure scents unfold in top, middle and base stages. Top notes greet the nose first, middle notes form the heart and base notes linger the longest. Sandol sits firmly in the base category. It rises slowly, builds body in the heart and then anchors the entire composition for many hours.
Projection is moderate, so it supports without overwhelming brighter partners. Its longevity is excellent, often outlasting natural sandalwood oils in side-by-side tests. Even after the floral sparkle fades the mellow wood tone can cling to skin or fabric well past the eight hour mark.
How & Where To Use Sandol
Sandol is a pleasure to handle. It pours smoothly, it does not darken quickly and it keeps its scent profile even after a few heat cycles, so most lab benches welcome it with open arms.
Perfumers lean on Sandol whenever they need a sandalwood note that behaves. In a straight sandalwood accord it rounds out the rougher edges of natural oils and brings a touch of rosy lift that stops the base from feeling flat. In floral bouquets a trace adds creamy depth under rose or ylang. Blend it with cedar or vetiver and it fattens the wood while smoothing any green bite. You will also see it slipped into gourmand bases to add a subtle milky wood that links sweet notes to the darker facets.
People often pick Sandol over natural sandalwood when budget or IFRA limits are tight or when a formula must survive alkaline soap curing. It also steps in for Iso E Super or Javanol when the brief calls for a softer less radiant wood that will not steal the spotlight.
Typical usage runs from 0.1 % for a gentle creamy bloom up to 5 % in rich woody bases. At very low levels the rosy nuance surfaces first while higher doses push the sandalwood front and center and can even read slightly fruity. Beyond 5 % the note turns waxy and can weigh a composition down so moderation pays off.
No special prep is needed. The material is ready to weigh straight from the drum though warming the bottle to around 30 °C makes pipetting easier in winter. Make sure caps are tightened because the viscous liquid can weep along threads and leave a stubborn film on shelves.
Safety Information
Working with Sandol is straightforward but basic laboratory precautions still apply.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution in alcohol or dipropylene glycol before smelling to avoid nose fatigue.
- Do not sniff from the bottle: instead wave the open bottle gently below your nose or use a blotter dipped in the diluted solution.
- Ensure good ventilation: mix and evaluate in a fume hood or a room with active airflow to keep airborne concentration low.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: the liquid can cling to skin and splash into eyes during pipetting.
- Health considerations: some users report mild skin sensitisation with repeated contact so avoid direct skin exposure. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before handling. Short low level contact is generally considered safe but prolonged or high concentration exposure may pose risks.
Always read and follow the most recent safety data sheet from your supplier and check back for updates. Adhere to current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in finished products to keep formulas compliant and consumers safe.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under the right conditions Sandol usually holds its full olfactory power for around two to three years from the date of manufacture. It will often last longer but the scent can flatten once oxidation starts so plan to rotate stock rather than gamble on very old drums.
The surest way to stretch shelf life is refrigeration. A fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C slows down oxidation and color change, though simple room temperature storage works if the space stays cool and shaded. Whichever option you pick, keep bottles away from direct sunlight heaters or hot pipes because heat speeds up degradation.
Use airtight containers fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These liners grip the bottle neck and create a tight seal that dropper bottles cannot match. After each use top off working bottles whenever possible to leave as little head space as you can since trapped air accelerates oxidation. If you decant into smaller vials choose ones made of amber glass or opaque plastic to block light.
Label every container clearly with the name Sandol batch number concentration and any hazard statements pulled from the latest SDS. Good labeling avoids mix-ups on a busy bench and reminds users to handle the liquid properly.
For disposal never pour Sandol or its alcohol dilutions down the sink. The material is not readily biodegradable and can persist in aquatic environments. Small lab quantities should be collected in a solvent waste can and sent for chemical incineration through a licensed disposal firm. Large scale users should follow local and national regulations which may require special waste codes and documentation. Rinse empty drums with a small amount of solvent capture the rinse for disposal then send the clean containers for recycling or landfill according to municipal rules.
Summary
Sandol is a synthetic woody ingredient with a creamy sandalwood and soft rose profile that acts as a long lasting base note. It gives body to floral bouquets rounds off rough woods and even sneaks into gourmand accords where a subtle milky wood link is needed. Thanks to its high thermal stability and friendly price it pops up in prestige perfume shampoo soap detergent and candle formulas worldwide.
Easy handling decent cost and wide compatibility make it a fun tool on the perfumer’s bench. Just remember that it thrives when kept cool sealed and away from light. Use it sparingly for a rosy lift or push it higher for full sandalwood presence but watch for heaviness past five percent. With those points in mind Sandol remains a go-to choice whenever a reliable creamy wood is on the brief.