Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
Lavender and sandalwood go together beautifully. Lavender's soft floral scent sits on top of sandalwood's warm, creamy wood, and together they make a calm, settled blend for winding down in the evening, quiet time, or a slow bath. Sandalwood is a base note, so it also helps lavender's lighter scent last longer. Below is what each oil brings, how to choose sandalwood, 7 lavender and sandalwood diffuser blends, and 4 roller and scrub recipes. For more about lavender, see my full lavender essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
Why Lavender and Sandalwood Work Together
| Lavender | Sandalwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia | Santalum spicatum (Australian), S. paniculatum (Hawaiian), or S. album (East Indian) |
| Scent and note | Soft, floral, herbal; middle note | Warm, creamy, woody; base note |
| Loved for | Winding down, bedtime routines, and skin care | Quiet time, meditation, and grounding evening blends |
| Ages | 2+ (a starter oil) | 5+ |
| Pregnancy | On my first-16-weeks list (diffuser or inhaler) | After 16 weeks |
What Each Oil Brings
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is mostly linalool and linalyl acetate, the compounds behind its soft, calming floral scent. In this blend, it's the top layer you notice first: light, clean, and relaxing, a natural fit for the hour before bed.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood essential oil gets its scent mainly from santalols. It's soft, warm, and creamy, and because it evaporates slowly, it anchors lighter oils like lavender and orange so a blend smells the same from start to finish. The feeling is calm and grounded, the kind of scent that makes a room feel quieter.
Choosing Sandalwood
You'll see three main types: Australian (Santalum spicatum), Hawaiian (Santalum paniculatum), and East Indian (Santalum album). They share a similar soft, woody scent and can be used interchangeably in these recipes. East Indian sandalwood has been heavily overharvested, so if you already have a bottle, enjoy it, and if you're buying new, Australian sandalwood from plantations is the easier choice. Check the botanical name on the label.
Lavender and Sandalwood Blend Well With
- Citrus: sweet orange, bergamot, tangerine
- Florals: Roman chamomile, ylang ylang, geranium
- Woods and resins: frankincense, cedarwood, juniper berry
- Earthy notes: vetiver, patchouli
For more pairings, see what mixes well with lavender essential oil.
A Few Safety Basics
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours. See my dilution chart.
• Check the age on each recipe. Sandalwood is for ages 5 and up, and clary sage and myrrh are for 12 and up. Kids 5 to 11 stay at 0.5 to 1% on skin.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes with a door open so pets can leave the room, and never put oils on pets. Cats are especially sensitive to citrus oils like orange and bergamot.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
7 Lavender and Sandalwood Diffuser Blends
These drop counts are for a 100 to 200 ml ultrasonic diffuser. Want more? See my lavender diffuser blends and sandalwood diffuser blends.
| Blend | Ages | Drops |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gentle Night | 5+ | 8 |
| 2. Calming Space | 5+ | 8 |
| 3. Sleepy Blend | 5+ | 8 |
| 4. Winding Down | 5+ | 6 |
| 5. Yoga Time | 5+ | 9, large diffuser |
| 6. Sleep Soundly | 12+ | 8 |
| 7. Peaceful Evening | 12+ | 7 |
1. Gentle Night
Diffuser · Ages 5+ · 8 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Sweet orange keeps this soft evening blend bright and cozy.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
2. Calming Space
Diffuser · Ages 5+ · 8 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Juniper berry adds a fresh, woodsy note to the creamy base.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- 2 drops juniper berry (Juniperus communis)
3. Sleepy Blend
Diffuser · Ages 5+ · 8 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Apple-sweet Roman chamomile makes this one soft and gentle for bedtime.
- 4 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
4. Winding Down
Diffuser · Ages 5+ · 6 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Bergamot and patchouli give this one a warm, earthy citrus edge.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- 1 drop bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
- 1 drop patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
5. Yoga Time
Diffuser · Ages 5+ · 9 drops, large diffuser or open room
Warm, resinous frankincense makes this a calm blend for stretching or quiet time.
- 4 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
6. Sleep Soundly
Diffuser · Ages 12+ · 8 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Earthy clary sage deepens this heavier bedtime blend.
- 4 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
Note: If you're pregnant, leave out the clary sage and save this one for after the first 16 weeks.
7. Peaceful Evening
Diffuser · Ages 12+ · 7 drops per 100 to 200 ml
Myrrh adds a smoky, resinous depth for a slow, quiet evening.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
Note: If you're pregnant, leave out the myrrh and save this one for after the first 16 weeks.
Lavender and Sandalwood Roller and Scrub Recipes
Each roller makes one 10 ml glass roller. For how to fill one, see my essential oil roller bottle recipes.
Celebrate Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 3%
A bright, herbal-woody roller for a happy occasion.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops basil (Ocimum basilicum ct. linalool)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- Jojoba oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions: Roll onto your wrists, arms, or the back of your neck.
Note: If you're pregnant, leave out the basil and save this one for after the first 16 weeks.
Golden Hour Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 3%
Sweet orange and creamy sandalwood make a cozy, sunset-soft roller for the evening.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- Jojoba oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions: Roll onto your wrists or the back of your neck as you wind down.
Dreamy Night Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 3%
Roman chamomile, lavender, and sandalwood make a soft, sweet roller for bedtime.
- 2 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- Jojoba oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions: Roll onto your wrists or the bottoms of your feet before bed.
Lavender Bliss Sugar Scrub
Scrub · Ages 12+ · about 1.25%
A soft, woody-floral scrub for rough hands, feet, and elbows.
- 15 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 15 drops sandalwood (Santalum spicatum or S. album)
- 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil
- 1 cup white or brown sugar
- A jar with a lid
Directions: Stir the essential oils into the fractionated coconut oil in a bowl, then mix in the sugar. Spoon into the jar. Use on hands, feet, and rough patches of skin a few times a week, and rinse well.
Note: Oil makes the tub or shower floor slick, so step carefully. Keep water out of the jar, and use a clean, dry spoon.
More Lavender and Sandalwood Posts
- Lavender Diffuser Blends and Essential Oil Guide
- Sandalwood Diffuser Blends
- What Mixes Well With Lavender Essential Oil?
- 22 Aromatherapy Massage Oils
- 50 Kid Safe Essential Oils List
Shop my aromatherapy supply kits and grab one of my free essential oil guides.
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