BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Peony Root Extract
A traditional Chinese botanical valued in modern skincare for paeoniflorin and other plant compounds, studied for calming and comforting stressed-looking skin.
Source
Chinese peony roots (Paeonia lactiflora)
Used for
The look of uneven tone
How it works
Peony root has a long history of traditional use, and its plant compounds, particularly paeoniflorin, are now studied in skincare research for their antioxidant and calming qualities.
In laboratory research on reconstructed human skin, Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin reduced melanin, the skin's natural pigment, pointing to its potential for a more even-looking tone. (Qiu et al., 2016)
Peony root extract suits both morning and evening use and layers comfortably alongside other antioxidant and calming ingredients. With its calming, comforting profile, it's a natural choice for easily reactive skin or skin prone to the look of redness.
In laboratory research on reconstructed human skin, Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin reduced melanin, the skin's natural pigment, pointing to its potential for a more even-looking tone. (Qiu et al., 2016)
Peony root extract suits both morning and evening use and layers comfortably alongside other antioxidant and calming ingredients. With its calming, comforting profile, it's a natural choice for easily reactive skin or skin prone to the look of redness.
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Rich in paeoniflorin and other plant compounds
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Studied for its calming, comforting effect on stressed-looking skin
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Studied in the lab for a more even-looking tone
Questions
What is peony root extract?
It is an extract of the root of Paeonia lactiflora, known in English as Chinese peony, white peony or common garden peony, and in China as bai shao. The plant has long been used in traditional medicine, and its root extract's main characteristic compound is paeoniflorin, a glucoside that researchers think may account for much of the extract's effect. (USDA GRIN Taxonomy; Filatov et al., 2025)
What does research say about peony root extract and skin tone?
Laboratory research on reconstructed human skin found that Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin reduced melanin, the skin's natural pigment, pointing to the extract's potential for a more even-looking tone. (Qiu et al., 2016)
What does research on peony root extract show?
Research so far is laboratory-based and encouraging. Studies on reconstructed human skin and on skin cells have looked at the root extract's effect on the look of uneven tone and on how skin cells respond to stress. (Qiu et al., 2016; Filatov et al., 2025)
About the plant
Paeonia lactiflora is a herbaceous perennial of the peony family (Paeoniaceae). It is native to temperate Asia, from Siberia, Mongolia and the Russian Far East across northern and north-eastern China to North and South Korea, and is widely grown as an ornamental. (USDA GRIN Taxonomy)
The root is the part used in skincare, and it has a long history in traditional medicine. Paeoniflorin, the main glucoside of the root extract, is the compound that most modern research on the extract focuses on. (Filatov et al., 2025)
The root is the part used in skincare, and it has a long history in traditional medicine. Paeoniflorin, the main glucoside of the root extract, is the compound that most modern research on the extract focuses on. (Filatov et al., 2025)
The research
- Qiu J, Chen M, Liu J, Huang X, Chen J, Zhou L, Ma J, Sextius P, Pena AM, Cai Z, Jeulin S. The skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin: in vitro evaluation using reconstructed pigmented human epidermis. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2016;38(5):444-451 (opens in a new tab)
- Filatov V, Yarovaya A, Ilin E, Patronova E, Tashlitsky V, Kalenikova E. Novel prospectives of Paeonia lactiflora root extract as a natural modulator of LPS-induced inflammation and collagen I synthesis in skin and oral gingival cells. Frontiers in Natural Products, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, GRIN-Global Taxonomy: Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (opens in a new tab)
