Chandan Ka Jadoo: 5 Homemade Sandal Face Packs Remedies to Calm, Clear & Glow Like a Desi Goddess
“Chandan sa badan ho, chehra bhi toh chandan jaisa ho na yaar!” 😅Some days I feel like my skin needs a therapist, a detox retreat, and an Instagram filter — all at once. But on most other days, I just reach for chandan. Yes, that same sandalwood your dadi swore by for pimples, pigmentation, and shaadi glow.
In a world full of 10-step routines and serums I can’t pronounce, sandalwood face packs still hold their ground — quietly powerful, cooling, and desi to the core. If you want skin that feels calm, smells divine, and looks like you slept a full 8 hours (even if you didn’t), chandan might just be your lazy-girl skincare soulmate.
TL;DR 🧾
- 🌿 Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and calming properties.
- 💆♀️ Great for acne, tan, dullness, redness, and oily skin.
- 🧴 Works best with kitchen heroes like rosewater, honey, yogurt, and aloe.
- 🚫 Patch test is a must. Daily use? Big no.
- 🥣 We’re sharing 5 DIY packs for every skin mood — ready to glow?
Why Sandalwood Is Still That Girl (Even in the K-beauty Era) 🌱
Sandalwood, aka chandan, has been part of Ayurveda, Unani, and grandmothers’ skincare rituals for centuries. But modern research backs it up too. The active compound alpha-santalol in sandalwood has:
- anti-inflammatory benefits (goodbye redness!)
- antibacterial action (hello pimple patrol)
- soothing effects on heat-triggered skin irritation
- mild brightening over consistent use
It also works as a gentle astringent — reducing excess oil without stripping. Think of it as skincare’s chilled-out therapist.
Top Skin Benefits of Sandalwood Face Packs 🌸
🌞 De-Tanning & Brightening
Chandan calms sun-exposed skin and helps gently fade that “two-tone” forehead.
💧 Oil Control Without Drying
Perfect for those humid Delhi summers when your face starts to feel like a frying pan.
🧖♀️ Calms Acne & Redness
Antibacterial power + cooling effect = reduced breakouts and inflammation.
🧼 Gently Exfoliates
When paired with ingredients like besan or multani mitti, it softly lifts dead skin.
🌿 Refreshes & Hydrates
Mix it with aloe or cucumber for a spa-day-at-home mask that makes you forget your deadlines.
5 Homemade Sandal Face Packs for Every Skin Mood 🥣
1. Chandan + Rosewater = The Classic Glow-Up (All Skin Types)
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp sandalwood powder
- 2 tsp rosewater
Mix into a smooth paste. Apply a thin layer. Leave for 10–12 mins. Rinse with cold water. Skin feels instantly calmer and smells divine.
2. Chandan + Honey + Milk = For Dry or Dull Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp chandan
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp raw milk
Hydrates, soothes, and gently exfoliates. Leave on for 15 mins. Follow with light moisturizer.
3. Chandan + Multani Mitti + Aloe = Oily Skin Dream Team
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp sandalwood
- 1 tbsp multani mitti
- 1 tsp aloe vera gel
Great for mattifying greasy zones and calming breakouts. Use once or twice a week.
4. Chandan + Yogurt + Turmeric = Pigmentation Control
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp sandalwood
- 1 tsp curd
- A pinch of haldi
Lightens tan, fades minor marks, and soothes. Use cautiously on sensitive skin. Don’t leave on too long — 10 mins max.
5. Chandan + Neem + Cucumber = Calm Down, Skin Edition
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp chandan
- 1 tsp neem powder or paste
- 2 tsp cucumber juice
Perfect post-summer sunburn fix. Keeps skin cool, clear, and happy.
How to Use Sandalwood Packs the Right Way 🧴
Step 1: Start With a Clean Face
Use a gentle cleanser. Skip scrubs before applying.
Step 2: Always Patch Test
Especially if you’re using turmeric, lemon or neem.
Step 3: Apply Evenly (Avoid Hairline & Brows)
Let the mask do its thing — no thick cakey layers.
Step 4: Don’t Let It Dry Out Completely
It can pull moisture if it cracks. Keep it dewy with a spritz of rosewater if needed.
Step 5: Rinse With Cool Water + Moisturise
Always moisturise after. For morning routines, layer sunscreen.
Pros, Cons & Precautions 📝
Real Talk: Been There, Masked That 🛁
I once mixed sandalwood and lemon juice (why??) and kept it on too long. Face felt like it had gone through a breakup. Since then, I stick to the rosewater combo on Mondays and multani mitti mix when my T-zone misbehaves. The difference? Fewer breakouts, a little more brightness, and skin that just feels less stressed. Bonus: my partner says I smell like a spa. 💁♀️
When Sandalwood Needs Backup 🧪
For deeper issues like hormonal acne, dark scars, or melasma — chandan isn’t enough alone. That’s where you need:
- A vitamin C or niacinamide serum
- Regular SPF (non-negotiable)
- Occasional chemical exfoliation (if your skin allows)
- Professional facials or derma visits
Use sandalwood packs as a support system, not a replacement for actives.
FAQs 🙋♀️
Q. Can I use sandalwood daily?
Nope. 2–3 times a week is more than enough. Daily use can dry out your skin.
Q. Is chandan good for acne?
Yes, mild to moderate breakouts respond well — especially when mixed with aloe, neem or multani mitti.
Q. Can I leave it on overnight?
Absolutely not. It’s not a sleeping mask. Stick to 10–15 mins.
Q. Does it lighten skin tone?
It evens out your natural tone, but no — it won’t “whiten” your skin. And that’s not the goal anyway.
Final Thoughts: Stay Cool, Stay Chandan 🧘♀️
There’s a reason sandalwood has lasted across generations and skin trends. It’s not a flashy glow-up, but it’s soothing, grounding, and effective — like a skincare version of chai on a rainy day. Whether you’re oily, dry, sun-tanned or just skin-tired, chandan’s got you.
“Bas ek chammach chandan, thoda sa patience, aur glow toh automatic hai boss.” 🌿✨