Synthetic Sandalwood: Sandalore vs Ebanol
Synthetic Sandalwood: Sandalore vs Ebanol
Real Mysore sandalwood is scarce, expensive and strictly protected after decades of overuse. That is why almost every sandalwood accord of recent decades rests on synthetic molecules. Two of them come from Givaudan and turn up again and again: Sandalore and Ebanol. Both smell of sandalwood – but they do not do the same thing. Here is how they differ and when to use which.
The short answer
Sandalore is the soft, creamy, slightly sweet sandalwood: round, polished, approachable. Ebanol is the powerful, aromatic sandalwood: denser, more resinous, with an opoponax-like depth. Combine the two and you get the fuller picture – Sandalore for the creamy body, Ebanol for contour and push.
Sandalore in detail
Givaudan introduced Sandalore in the 1970s, and it is still the friendliest sandalwood molecule on the shelf: warm, creamy, sweetish-woody, with a slightly floral, musky undertone. It diffuses well and lasts long. At the top it is reckoned about half again as powerful as natural sandalwood oil, though it fades faster than the natural oil.
In practice, Sandalore is a workhorse for soft woods, creamy bases and anything meant to feel pleasing. Since its odour threshold is comparatively high (around 3 ng/l), it can be dosed more generously than its more potent relatives.
Ebanol in detail
Ebanol, also by Givaudan, is the more powerful counterpart. It smells distinctly more aromatic, with a resinous facet reminiscent of opoponax or maple syrup, and darker, almost leathery-phenolic nuances. In a sandalwood accord, Ebanol is the “hard” note – the one that supplies structure and radiance.
Two things matter: Ebanol is considerably more potent than Sandalore (odour threshold around 0.2 ng/l, roughly fifteen times more sensitive) – so dose it far more sparingly. And it should be worked fresh: older or poorly stored material can develop off-notes.
Direct comparison
| Sandalore | Ebanol | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | soft, creamy, sweet, round | powerful, aromatic, resinous, darker |
| Role in the accord | creamy body, softener | structure, power, contour |
| Potency (odour threshold) | lower (~3 ng/l) | high (~0.2 ng/l) |
| Dosage | more generous | sparing |
| Note | easy to use, forgiving | work fresh, else off-notes |
| Manufacturer | Givaudan | Givaudan |
Why you use both together
Most convincing sandalwood reconstructions rely not on a single molecule but on a blend. Sandalore provides the creamy, skin-friendly body; Ebanol lays the powerful, resinous signature over it. Together they feel fuller and more alive than either alone – one balancing the other’s thinness. A good starting point is a majority of Sandalore with a small, carefully measured amount of Ebanol; from there you feel your way forward.
Which for what?
- Looking for a soft, creamy wood – Sandalore, dosed generously.
- Looking for power, radiance, resinous depth – Ebanol, sparingly.
- Full sandalwood reconstruction – combine both.
- Starting out / first experiment – begin with Sandalore; it is more forgiving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Sandalore and Ebanol?
Sandalore smells soft, creamy and slightly sweet; Ebanol stronger, more resinous and darker. Sandalore gives the body, Ebanol the structure.
Which is stronger?
Ebanol. Its odour threshold is around fifteen times lower than Sandalore’s, which is why it is used far more sparingly.
Can you mix Sandalore and Ebanol?
Yes – that is precisely the usual approach. Sandalore as the creamy body, Ebanol as the powerful contour.
Do they replace real sandalwood oil?
They reproduce key facets convincingly and are reliably available. The full complexity of a good Mysore oil is usually reached only by combining several materials.
Are there IFRA restrictions?
Both are IFRA-regulated. Please check the current IFRA amendment for the relevant application category.
More detail: Sandalore reference · Ebanol reference