Palo Santo

Why Palo Santo?

I have not been able to find a palo santo candle that I liked, made with real palo santo essential oil. The reasons why the real oils are not used in perfumery and home fragrance are a bit complex, involving the price of the real oils and the fact that the aromatic profile of the oils is quite different from that of the burning sticks. There are fragrances, candles, and diffusers in the market that are labeled palo santo, or claim to use it, but because I became a perfumer and can identify materials quite easily now, after many years of training, I know when it is included in the blend or not. 

I burn palo santo sticks at home every day and every evening. It is a wonderful odor cleanser, particularly after cooking oily meals. But years ago, when I was starting out, I thought I would find comparative products in the market that could smell like it. To my ever-evolving surprise, it's been years, and I still have not found something I'd buy. I asked myself, "Why buy something that is not the real thing?" 

So, I decided to formulate a fragrance that would be usable in candles, room sprays, and diffusers that would actually include the real essential oil. 

What Is Palo Santo? 

Palo Santo can refer to different types of wood; however, in this context, I am explicitly referring to Bursera graveolens, the species that grows wild in Ecuador and Perú. I love its bitter, medicinal scent, which, depending on the origin and harvest, can also have a citrusy aroma. It's terrific to fend bugs indoors and outdoors. 

But the very bitter aspect of the oil that I like so much when burning it in an oil burner, becomes a problem when including it in a fragrance formula. The composition of the essential oil is quite unique and strong; it can easily take over a formula. It required multiple reformulations until I was satisfied with what I wanted to achieve: a scented candle that smelled like the burning sticks, not like the essential oil. 

The Inspiration For Palo Santo

I drew inspiration from Ecuador when creating the fragrance. Doing research, I found out that palo santo was taken to Europe sometime in the 16th century, and I assess that perhaps the Jesuit monks had something to do with it, "OMG! A less expensive incense!, Miss Thing will love this" sort of thing. 

Because its use has such a rich history and has crossed continents, I incorporated materials from different parts of the world. It is in the same family as sandalwood, frankincense, and even citrus, so it carries a genetic mark that is a wonderful source of inspiration for any perfumer. 

Tuberose and violet accords help smooth out the rough edges of the resinous components of the palo santo oils, bay leaf adds a spicy note of cloves without overpowering, and beautiful amber materials like Cedramber and Operanide help with diffusion. Eagleswood, a material rarely used in perfumery, helps anchor the resinous and woodsy aspects of cedarwood Himalaya and provides a strong base for the heart notes of palo santo. 

A Collage Inspired By Palo Santo

The blog image deserves its own paragraph. I have been working closely with the super-talented Sèbastien LeNotre, an accomplished artist who's currently exhibiting at the Moosey Art Gallery in the United Kingdom. You can view his work here.

I asked Sèbastien to create a collage that would represent the diverse aromatic and historical aspects of Palo Santo, as well as acknowledging its origins in Ecuador. A season-appropriate palette in jewel tones and a sharp Art Deco influence anchor the collage to our Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, bravo Sèbastien!

Palo Santo: A Perfect Fragrance To Transition Into Fall

I decided to launch Palo Santo in September of 2025 as a transition into Fall. Days are getting shorter, evenings a bit chillier, and the desire to nest is hovering in the air. Palo Santo is a wonderful fragrance to cuddle up with a book or to scent your bedroom before bedtime. The presence of real essential oils and absolutes in its blend has a calming and soothing effect, and its complex fragrance blending woods, resins, spices, florals, and herbs is a wonderful transition from the outdoors into the indoors. 

RHR