According to a scientific review of existing studies by Australian firm Quintis Sandalwood, Indian sandalwood oil has more scientifically proven benefits than CBD oil. This, Quintis said, makes it “a good alternate in cosmetic applications"
According to a scientific review of existing studies by Australian firm Quintis Sandalwood, Indian sandalwood oil (Santalum album, ISO) has more scientifically proven benefits than CBD oil. This, Quintis said, makes it “a good alternate in cosmetic applications, especially in skincare”. CBD oil is now banned from use in cosmetics in China and restricted in other markets.
The review looked at five key areas and found that ISO at least matched CBD oil in all of them. Both oils act on keratinocyte proliferation to facilitate wound healing, by stimulating the calcium channels on keratinocytes, although they act on different receptors. ISO is also a potent antioxidant that works on keratinocytes to protect the skin from reactive oxygen species, as does CBD oil.
Looking at skin brightening, ISO inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme, the key enzyme in producing melanin, which is responsible for uneven skin tone, dark spots, and pigmentation. With regards to anti-ageing, ISO inhibits the MMP1 enzyme, which is generated in the skin and breaks down collagen. No research has yet suggested that CBD can do either of these things; its brightening and anti-ageing claims all stem from its antioxidant properties.
Finally, ISO is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties because it inhibits the production of cytokines, chemokines and prostaglandins, all of which cause inflammation in the skin. It also up-regulates the 11βHSD1 enzyme to convert inflammatory cortisone to inactive cortisol. CBD stimulates the CB-2 receptors in skin to reduce cytokines and chemokine, but the mechanism remains ambiguous.
“ISO is a great natural multi-purpose ingredient for cosmetics care and an alternative for CBD oil as it is an effective protective and anti-ageing active ingredient, and it has scientifically proven bioactivity and dermal benefits for the skin, including assisting with evening skin tone and wound healing,” concluded Dr Dhanushka Hettiarachchi, product manager at Quintis.
