Cedarwood oil has been used in skincare, medicine, and fragrance for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used it in embalming. Native American tribes used it medicinally. It appears in some of the oldest recorded perfume formulations. Here is what it actually does for skin and why it belongs in soap.
What Cedarwood Oil Is
Cedarwood oil is an essential oil steam-distilled from the wood of cedar trees. Several species produce usable cedarwood oil: Cedrus atlantica from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Juniperus virginiana from eastern North America, and Cedrus deodara from the Himalayas. Each has a slightly different aromatic profile, though all share the characteristic warm, woody, slightly earthy character.
The primary active compounds are sesquiterpenes, including cedrol, cedrene, and thujopsene. These compounds are responsible for both the scent and the biological activity of the oil.
Skin Benefits
Antibacterial: Cedarwood oil has demonstrated antibacterial activity against multiple bacterial strains in laboratory studies. In soap form, this provides supplementary antimicrobial coverage beyond the cleansing action of the soap base.
Antifungal: Several studies have shown cedarwood oil effective against common skin fungi, including Candida species and dermatophytes responsible for conditions like athlete's foot and ringworm.
Anti-inflammatory: Cedrol, the primary compound in many cedarwood oils, has documented anti-inflammatory properties. Topical application reduces inflammation markers in skin tissue.
Sebum regulation: Cedarwood oil has been used traditionally for oily skin and acne. Some evidence supports its role in regulating sebaceous gland activity, making it potentially useful for oily skin types.
The Scent
Cedarwood is classified as a base note in perfumery — meaning it evaporates slowly and persists on skin after lighter top notes have faded. This gives cedarwood-scented products their characteristic longevity.
The scent profile is warm, woody, and slightly dry. It pairs naturally with sandalwood (which adds warmth and creaminess), vanilla (which adds sweetness), and citrus (which brightens the opening). In our Cedarwood and Sandalwood Bar Soap, cedarwood and sandalwood work together to create a scent that starts woody and dry and settles into something warm and lasting on skin.
Why It Works in Soap
Essential oil-based soap scents behave differently from synthetic fragrance soap scents. Synthetic fragrances are designed for immediate impact and fade quickly because they are volatile. The sesquiterpene compounds in cedarwood oil have higher molecular weight and lower volatility, meaning they adhere to skin and persist after rinsing.
This is why a cedarwood essential oil soap leaves a detectable scent hours after showering when a synthetic cedar-scented body wash does not.
Who Should Use It
Cedarwood soap works for most skin types. The antibacterial and antifungal properties make it useful for athletes. The anti-inflammatory properties benefit skin dealing with dryness or irritation from outdoor exposure. The scent longevity makes it a practical choice for people who want scent from their soap rather than a separate fragrance product.
Our Cedarwood and Sandalwood Bar Soap uses cedarwood essential oil at a concentration that delivers both the functional properties and the scent longevity described above.
Beyond Clean, Beyond Ordinary.