Yes, finally. As in "I finally found it.". There are so many substitute products out there in stores and on the internet it is positively overwhelming to try and sort it all out. Thank goodness NG has the chips, or else I'd still be looking. The medium-short version is this: Red sandalwood is none other than Pterocarpus santalinus. There are several other species of pterocarpus, though very similar in color and texture, that just simply aren't the same thing. They don't have the anti-bacterial or smoothing affect of true red sandalwood. Period. They are just "dye". If you are looking for the only true equal to the popular camwood powder (pterocarpus osun) for your soaps and facial applications, this is it. Get yourself a small, top-loading coffee grinder and run small amounts through, then sift. I separate the powder sifted and the larger chips that remain in the sifter are run through the grinder again. I repeat the process three (3) times and finish it off in the mortar and pestle, after which it yields a wonderfully fine powder without the splinters and tiny chips that your see in much more expensive "authentic" powders. The effect is immediate and undeniable, and makes a great and unique product. Thanks again, Nature's Garden.
