Written by Dr.SanjanaV.B Bhms, Dbrm,cdn

Red sandal wood face mask

This exquisite face pack of red sandalwood &cucumber juice is recommended for oily skin with recurrent acne or pimples. But using lemon as an ingredient is not advised if there is intensely inflamed reddish or pinkish tainted acne on the face. You may use this pack without lemon, once acne heals or dries up. However, anybody with  an  excessively oil secretion on face [without irritated acne] or having  dark spots can apply this whole face pack.

·       Red Sandalwood [Pterocarpus santalinus ]

    It is known by a wide variety of names such as Red Sanders, Red Sanders wood, Red Saunders, Rakta chandana (Indian),However, it is commonly known as Red Sandalwood, or rakta chandana among the people  who use it for  many skin related ailments and cosmetic purposes. This tree is a native and endemic to India and can be found in the southern parts of the Eastern Ghats. It is a small tree that grows to 5-8 meters in height and has a dark grayish bark.

      The timber of the tree is loved and used by people of India and abroad, especially in East Asian countries. Beyond its cosmetic usage as an ingredient of face packs for attaining beautiful & blemish free ,soft skin ,the timbre is used for many other purposes .It  is used for carvings, furniture, poles, and house posts.

       The rare “wavy” grain variant red sandal wood tree and its timber is highly valued in Japan for its acoustic properties and is used to make musical instruments.

    It is primarily used for skin care and beauty purposes. It is very effective in reducing blemishes and treating acne. It also helps in the removal of sun tan and dullness because of its cooling properties. The paste made by rubbing the wood with some water is more skin friendly.

      It is primarily used for skin care and beauty purposes as it is very effective in reducing blemishes and treating acne. It also helps in the removal of sun tan and dullness because of its cooling properties.

·       Cucumber

     Cucumbers can clear the skin as they are high in water content. This may help reduce acne breakouts. Cucumbers can reduce the swelling and puffiness of the skin as they are rich in folic acid and Vitamin C.

 The antioxidant components in cucumbers may be having anti-wrinkle properties. Also, cucumbers contain both folic acid and vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can facilitate new cell growth, while folic acid helps fight off environmental toxins .Cucumber also has anti-inflammatory property and provide cooling effect.

·      Lemon

Lemon has vitamin C and it helps to remove tan and lighten your skin. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant which removes sun induced skin damage and ageing consequent to oxidative stress. 

Preparation of  the mask:

Mix 2tbsp  red sandalwood powder with 3tbs cucumber juice & 1 tbsp lemon juice to prepare a mixture. Stir well. Add rose water to get the pack ready in good texture.

Apply this paste all over your face and neck and let it dry.  After drying, wet the face with water and gently remove the pack.

 Wash your face with lukewarm water.

This brightening and cooling face pack helps in regulating the secretion of sebum and makes the pores tight. The  face pack is soothing and cooling to your skin and senses due to the fragrance of rose water .You may add some sandalwood paste also to the mixture for  better cooling experience. Red sandalwood is great for oily skin.

Image courtesy :

https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/high-angle-selection-bowls-with-fine-powder-leaves_11339287.htm#query=sandalwood&position=27&from_view=keyword&track=sph&uuid=12db1f6f-8d7c-4051-bd54-1c97da6917c8