Fusanus Spicatus Kernel (Sandalwood Nut) Oil

anti-redness + sensitivity · antioxidant · barrier support
by cipher skincare published: sep 14, 2022 revised: feb 17, 2026 2 min read
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why we use fusanus spicatus kernel (sandalwood nut) oil

The Basics

Australian sandalwood nuts are a sustainable byproduct from the fragrance industry. This supercritical CO2 extracted oil is prized for its ximenynic acid content accounting for over 30% of the total fatty acid composition.1 Not to be confused with ximenic acid, ximenynic acid is a rare acetylenic fatty acid that calms the appearance of redness and sensitivity by inhibiting skin reactions before showing effects.2 It also effectively boost microcirculation in the skin to restore visible firmness and vitality.3

Ximenynic acid exists in the seeds of most sandalwood varieties (Santalaceae) and its skin benefits are well studied.4 More recently, ximenynic acid was discovered in abundance in the native Australian variety—Fusanus Spicatus. Australia now accounts for over 60% of the world’s supply of Sandalwood.1 Use of the nut oil incentivizes growers to allow trees to remain in the ground longer and produce their yearly crop of ~300g seeds per tree. Otherwise, trees are harvested at a young age to produce only essential oil.

references

  1. 1 Down Under Enterprises. (2015). Sandalwood Seed Oil: Use of Plant Derived Oils in Personal Care
    Formulations. Sandalwood Seed Oil: Use of Plant Derived Oils in Personal Care
    Formulations.
  2. 2 Cai, F., Li, J., Liu, Y., Zhang, Z., Hettiarachchi, D., & Li, D. (2016). Effect of ximenynic acid on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and COX-1 in HepG2 cells. Molecular Medicine Reports, 14(6), 5667-5676. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5920 Effect of ximenynic acid on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and COX-1 in HepG2 cells.
  3. 3 RAKESH, S., DR., D., DR., S., & DR., G. (2019). Ximenynic acid: A versatile lead molecule for drug development. International Journal Of Pharma And Bio Sciences, 10(4). doi: 10.22376/ijpbs.2019.10.4.p93-99 Ximenynic acid: A versatile lead molecule for drug development.
  4. 4 Aitzetmüller, K. (2012). Santalbic acid in the plant kingdom. Plant Systematics And Evolution, 298(9), 1609-1617. doi: 10.1007/s00606-012-0678-5 Santalbic acid in the plant kingdom.
  5. 5 Eggink, M., Stam, W., Schmid, U., Koenen, C., Rogers, J., Peilow, A., & Bosley, J. (2004). EP1402787A1 - Ximenynic acid compositions, methods for their production and uses thereof - Google Patents. United States. Ximenynic acid compositions, methods for their production and uses thereof.

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