Fragrances are more than just personal accessories. Ancient history is filled with examples of scents being used for their mystical properties. Egyptians reportedly used the scents of thyme, cedar and myrrh in burial rites, believing they would aid in the journey to the afterlife. Romans sprinkled perfumes to ward off evil spirits, and in the Middle Ages, aromatic oils were believed to have healing properties.
Fast forward to today, and we turn to scent for more reasons than just smelling nice: “In the midst of great disruption – a global pandemic, increased isolation and widespread anxiety – scent has once again emerged as a comforting force,” explains Walter Johnsen, VP of Product Development at Interparfum.
And there is perhaps no better example of this than Palo Santo.
You may have heard the name before. For centuries, Palo Santo has been utilized for its mystical properties. It is lit on a piece of wood, producing a cleansing smoke similar to burning sage. Given that it is the ultimate cleanser of bad energy, it is no surprise that this smudging superstar is now back in fashion. “In a post-pandemic world, a new generation of consumers has discovered this ancient, powerful scent and its therapeutic essence,” explains Johnsen. And Palo Santo’s newfound mainstream appeal in both luxury perfumes and beauty products is solid evidence that it has gone from “wow, wow” to “wow.”
Why is it such an attractive option for perfume makers and perfume lovers alike? Read on to find out what the experts have to say about this growing trend.
What is Palo Santo?
The term refers to the wood of the tree of the same name, which is native to South and Central American countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. “The name translates to ‘sacred wood’ and produces a rich, smoky-smelling resin that has been used by indigenous people for spiritual and medicinal purposes,” says Gisele Wasfy, DACM, a physician in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. “These ancient rituals centered around using Palo Santo to clear negative energy and relieve stress, and have since led Westerners to explore ways to use the tree for similar purposes.”
Why is Palo Santo so popular now?
The easiest way to understand how Palo Santo evolved from smudging to spraying is to think of it as one of many scents that have emerged as part of the recent wellness fragrance trend. Nearly every major fragrance development company now has a division dedicated to creating scents that help with everything from improving focus to improving sleep quality to reducing anxiety. “Consumers are looking for products that go beyond the standard role of perfume to provide physical and mental health and wellness benefits,” says fragrance expert and Luxury Scent Box CEO Leila Zagwolsky. This may explain why Palo Santo, previously used as a base note, is now emerging as a star player.
Actress and entrepreneur Ashley Tisdale, who has made palo santo a featured ingredient in the latest collection for her personal care and home brand, Being French, agrees. “I think people are looking for more inner peace; they want to experience the calming presence that you get when you’re in nature, and woody scents like palo santo are a way to bring that into their daily lives,” she says. “It’s deeply calming and relaxing, and it helps to encourage you to breathe and stay in the moment,” she adds.
Zagwolski compares the warm, woody scent to others that have inherently calming powers, like lavender and chamomile, and from a practical standpoint, Palo Santo is also versatile, he adds, which is another reason it’s appearing in more products than ever before.
What does Palo Santo smell like?
It’s an instant favorite. “It’s a complex blend of delicate woody essences, citrus, and mint, reminiscent of frankincense and myrrh,” says Johnsen. Zagwolski adds that the scent also has a slight smokiness, like the smell of fresh wood in a fireplace with a hint of sweetness and citrus. “This scent adds comfort and depth to the fragrance, helping to balance any combination of citrus, floral, and fruity notes,” she says.
For example, Tisdale’s Present & Grounded Palo Santo Sage line uses bergamot peel, ylang-ylang, and pure musk, with palo santo wrapping these powerful scents together in a highly accessible way. The scent doesn’t skew traditionally feminine or masculine, Zagwolski points out, adding that palo santo is often used in gender-neutral fragrances. A great example is Callum Barcelona Palo Santo Eau de Parfum, which combines its namesake ingredient with gourmand notes of caramel and tonka bean to create a fragrance that’s accessible to everyone and capitalizes on the soothing, calming warmth of palo santo.
Fun factPalo Santo’s aromatic nuances change with the phases of the moon. “Palo Santo oil production is influenced by the moon,” Johnsen says. “A new moon produces a small amount of lighter oil from the tree, while a full moon produces a richer, more intense oil.”
Conclusion: Palo Santo is worth a try
Whether you need to reset your energy or not, Palo Santo’s warm, inviting scent makes it perfect for perfumes and home fragrances like candles, and no matter how you use it, you’ll enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of Palo Santo – its calming ambiance.
So, do as you like: apply some body lotion, lather up with shampoo, spritz on a little perfume (maybe smoke a Palo Santo stick while you’re at it).
Regardless of which Palo Santo product you choose, a little more calm, collected energy is what we all need right now. Plus, it smells amazing! Kill two birds with one stone.
Fill your life with Palo Santo
Being French Palo Santo Sage Reset Candle
Tisdale says it’s one of the products she’s most proud of in the brand’s latest line: “It’s not overpowering or perfumey, it’s airy,” she says.
Donna Karan New York Cashmere and Palo Santo Perfume
Woody Palo Santo makes up the base note of this fragrance and is part of an update of the brand’s classic Cashmere Mist scent. Combining golden peach and cashmere wood, this perfume is warm and sensual.
Karner Barcelona Palo Santo Eau de Parfum
Lovers of gourmand scents will appreciate that this fragrance mixes warm caramel with tonka bean, taming the intensity of palo santo in a blend that’s neither too masculine nor too feminine.
Pattern Palo Santo Curl Mousse
Pattern’s Palo Santo collection includes a styling cream, conditioner, and this curl enhancer. The silicone-free mousse is feather-light and provides just the right amount of hold without weighing hair down. The mint, citrus, and palo santo scent is an added bonus: it’s woody yet fresh and invigorating.
Rahua Palo Santo Oil Perfume
This pure plant-derived oil blends palo santo with floral gardenia and subtle citrus for a relaxing, uplifting scent. Its rollerball format makes application easier than ever. Simply dab on a dab throughout the day whenever you want a little aromatherapy fun.
Kate McLeod Clearing Stone Deep Moisturizing Lotion Bar
This solid lotion warms to the touch and glides onto skin to deliver intense (but not sticky) moisture, while a combination of Palo Santo, Clary Sage, Lavender and Geranium creates a purifying, calming scent.
Le Labo Palo Santo 14 Home Fragrance
If you want the scent of Palo Santo to fill your home, try this home fragrance that combines the woody scent of Palo Santo with warm Cedarwood and earthy Patchouli to create a scent that brings the outside world inside.
