Palo Santo: A Sacred Scent in ACTIVATE

For centuries, palo santo, often translated as “sacred wood” , has been revered across South America. Shamans and healers have burned the dried wood in rituals to clear negative energy, encourage focus, and create a meditative state. Today, palo santo is cherished not only for its cultural roots but also for its uniquely grounding aroma.

The Power of Palo Santo

The essential oil of palo santo comes from the heartwood of trees in the Burseraceae family, the same botanical lineage as frankincense and myrrh. Its phytochemicals, including antioxidant-rich terpenes like limonene and α-terpineol, help defend against free radical damage while supporting a sense of calm.

The scent profile is unmistakable, it is woodsy, balsamic, slightly citrus, and softly sweet. In ACTIVATE, it transforms a simple cleanse into a sensory ritual, turning skincare into a moment of grounding and renewal.

Sustainability and Integrity

Because palo santo requires time and patience to develop its aromatic oils, it is often imitated with synthetic fragrance. True palo santo incense comes only from trees that have died naturally, a process that can take 50–70 years, with an additional 5–8 years on the forest floor before the heartwood matures.

At LINNÉ, our palo santo is ethically wild-harvested from naturally fallen trees on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. This careful sourcing ensures both authenticity and respect for the ecosystem, allowing the forest to regenerate and thrive.

Palo Santo in the LINNÉ Ritual

We’ve infused palo santo into ACTIVATE to further elevate your cleansing experience. More than a cleanser, it becomes a ritual: the invigorating clay and mineral blend clears away buildup, while the grounding scent of palo santo restores focus and balance.

Skincare is more than function; it’s a chance to breathe, to reset, to feel cared for. Infused with palo santo, ACTIVATE turns a simple step into a sensory ritual of clarity and calm.