Why Aussies are turning to this little-known ‘ancient ingredient’ for an instantly glowing complexion – and even Megan Gale is a fan: ‘Liquid gold’

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Beauty and skin care enthusiasts love a little-known ancient ingredient that has a host of beneficial health and wellness applications.

Well-being and natural beauty retailer Heartwood embraces the goodness of Indian sandalwood, an ingredient revered for thousands of years by cultures and religions around the world for its unique nourishing properties.

Perth-based founder Alex Wilson has developed a range of ‘clean’ beauty products under Heartwood that are loved by celebrities such as Megan Gale and Julie Bishop.

Each product harnesses the potential benefits of Indian sandalwood, known as ‘liquid gold’, which has been found to brighten, tighten, cool, protect and calm the mind.

Beauty brand Heartwood embraces the goodness of a precious ingredient that has been revered for thousands of years by cultures and religions around the world for its unique properties

Founder Alex Wilson (pictured), from Perth, has developed a range of ‘clean’ beauty products Heartwood loved by celebrities like Megan Gale and Julie Bishop

Of all the types of sandalwood, Indian is the most prized for its high concentration of alpha-santatol, which is responsible for its seductive woody scent.

‘There are compounds in the oil in the heartwood of sandalwood that have the ability to make you feel very calm and grounded. So they really relax the nervous system,” Alex explained.

‘These compounds are called santalol and Indian sandalwood has approximately three times the volume of any other standard wood in the world, making it the most superior of all sandalwood species.’

Indian sandalwood is said to relieve dehydrated skin and treat dry skin conditions such as eczema, to restore moisture and glow.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties to cool, soothe and soften the skin, reduce redness and irritation, and relieve symptoms of rosacea and eczema.

‘It is very good for breaking down pigment spots and sun spots. It is very good for acne-prone skin as it is extremely antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral. It also works as a spot treatment,” Alex explained.

‘It’s also very harsh, so it can tighten pores, fine lines and wrinkles. There’s nothing it doesn’t do. It’s a dream ingredient.’

Each product harnesses the potential benefits of Indian sandalwood, known as ‘liquid gold’, which has been found to brighten, tighten, cool, protect and calm the mind.

Alex has always had a ‘fascination’ with the versatile resource as her family started farming it when she was young in the Kimberley, Northern Territory and northern Queensland.

It takes twenty years to grow one tree with Indian sandalwood, which is in the ‘heartwood’ of the trunk.

‘I have always been surrounded by this beautiful, fragrant wood. It has always been a dream of mine to bring Indian sandalwood to life in a contemporary way in the Australian market,” said Alex.

“My goal with Heartwood was to really educate a modern audience about the beautiful benefits of this sacred wood and create something that was truly meaningful.”

Heartwood’s luxury range of Indian sandalwood products include serums, oils, candles, face masks, scented pillowcases, jewelry and perfumes.

In 2019, Alex opened the Heartwood store in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe, where shoppers can browse the range and purchase from ‘some of the best natural beauty brands in the world’ carefully selected by her.

In 2019, Alex opened the Heartwood store where shoppers can browse the range and purchase from ‘some of the best natural beauty brands in the world’, carefully selected by her.

Alex has always had a ‘fascination’ with the versatile resource as her family started farming it when she was young in the Kimberley, Northern Territory and northern Queensland.

Customers can also create their own perfumes and sign up for a range of luxurious treatments, including facials and massages performed by experienced beauticians.

Australian politician Julie Bishop visited Heartwood to create a bespoke perfume and regularly visits the store for facials.

Model Megan Gale is a supporter of the brand and has been spotted in the Indian Sandalwood Mala beads.

Heartwood’s Royal Collection is a premium line of Indian sandalwood products and has found its way into many fans’ skincare cabinets.

The $95 Royal Revival Hydration serum has a lightweight formula created to deeply replenish and hydrate the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and instantly plump with the first application.

The $140 Royal Oil was one of the first products Alex developed for Heartwood and is perfect for those with age spots, sun damage, dullness, uneven skin tone and dryness.

Heartwood’s Royal Collection is a premium line of Indian sandalwood products and has found its way into many fans’ skincare cabinets

The skin benefits are complemented by the heavenly and soothing scent and supported by natural ingredients including frankincense and jojoba, which is rich in vitamin E.

You can smell like a dream with the $95 Royal Oil Nourishing Moisturizing Perfume Oil for Body and Hair, created to de-stress and renew the skin, hair and senses.

You can smell like a dream with the $95 Royal Oil Nourishing Moisturizing Perfume Oil for Body and Hair, created to de-stress and renew the skin, hair and senses

The $95 purchase doubles as a perfume and skin treatment to use on the neck, décolleté, ends, arms, legs and anywhere to experience the deeply nourishing properties of Indian sandalwood.

Heartwood’s Royal Treatment Sheet Mask for $20 can help shoppers test the benefits of Indian sandalwood on their skin.

The single-use treatment can soothe, brighten and hydrate skin and is formulated to visibly reduce discoloration and redness, smooth uneven texture and deliver intense moisture.

It’s not just the skin that can experience the luxury of sandalwood. Heartwood has a fragrance range to make any home smell like a soothing retreat.

There’s the $95 King of Woods Indian Sandalwood Candle, as well as a pack of Indian Sandalwood incense for $40, as well as incense stick holders ranging from $50 to $500.

To purchase the Heartwood range, click here.