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Pe

Peony Root Extract

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract · Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract · Paeonia Lactiflora Root ExtractAntioxidant

Peony root extract with antioxidant and calming compounds. It’s used in brightening products, though skin evidence is limited.

What it does

In lab tests its compounds, mainly paeoniflorin, calm inflammation, act as antioxidants and slightly slow pigment-making, which is the basis for its brightening and redness claims. Most human evidence is from taking peony by mouth in traditional East Asian herbalism; tests on skin are limited.

The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a skin conditioner, its general term for an ingredient that keeps skin in good condition.European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗

The evidence, graded

expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2025) judged tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) root extract safe as used; products use it mostly to condition skin. A face mask with 0.5% caused no irritation or allergy in 106 people. The root may lighten skin, which they count as a drug effect, so makers should use it in a way that doesn’t. They asked makers to limit heavy metals and pesticide residues. White peony (Paeonia albiflora) root wasn’t part of the review.Raj 2025 · Cosmetic Ingredient Review ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

white peony root extract, tree peony root extract, paeonia albiflora, paeonia suffruticosa, paeonia root, paeoniflorin source, paeonia lactiflora

Pairs worth knowing

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) · works together ↗L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) · works together ↗Tranexamic Acid · works together ↗

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