PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA ROOT EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA ROOT EXTRACT — anti-inflammatory, brightening (Peony Root).

All Functions: anti-inflammatory, brightening (Peony Root)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Paeonia suffruticosa root extract is rich in polyphenols and contains bioactive compounds like paeonol and paeoniflorin
• Research shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties
• May help protect skin from UV damage and reduce signs of photoaging
• Traditionally used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine for thousands of years
• Over 160 chemical compounds have been identified in the root bark

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Paeonia suffruticosa root extract (PSAE) is derived from the root bark of the tree peony plant and has a long history in traditional medicine across East Asia. The ingredient contains approximately 48.9% phenolic compounds by weight, which are plant molecules known for their antioxidant properties (Front Pharmacol, 2025). The extract demonstrates several potential skincare benefits: #1: Antioxidant activity—PSAE can neutralize multiple types of harmful free radicals (DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl, and ABTS radicals) that damage skin cells (Front Pharmacol, 2025). #2: Protection against photoaging—when skin cells were exposed to UV radiation in laboratory studies, PSAE reduced oxidative stress markers and cellular senescence (aging signs) by modulating a cellular signaling pathway called IRS/PI3K/FOXO (Front Pharmacol, 2025).

#3: Collagen and hyaluronic acid preservation—the extract enhanced the body’s ability to inhibit collagenase and hyaluronidase, enzymes that break down collagen and hyaluronic acid, structural components that keep skin firm and hydrated (Front Pharmacol, 2025). #4: Human efficacy—in a study on actual people, PSAE improved skin hydration, reduced water loss through the skin barrier, and enhanced skin elasticity and smoothness (Front Pharmacol, 2025). #5: Anti-inflammatory effects—paeoniflorin, a key active compound in the extract, and other components showed anti-inflammatory properties by reducing nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in animal studies (Molecules, 2019; J Nat Med, 2026). One specific active compound worth noting is paeoniflorin, which research suggests may have depigmenting potential—meaning it could theoretically help with uneven skin tone by reducing melanin synthesis through inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity in laboratory melanoma cell studies (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2023).

However, this has only been demonstrated in cell cultures, not yet in human skin studies. The sources identify over 160 different chemical compounds in Moutan Cortex (the traditional medicine name for this root bark), with monoterpene glycosides and phenolic compounds being most abundant (J Ethnopharmacol, 2023). While the research is primarily from laboratory and animal studies with one human efficacy assessment, the traditional use spanning thousands of years and multiple pharmacological research directions suggest this ingredient has genuine bioactive potential for skincare applications.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Liu J et al. (2025). Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews root extract ameliorates photoaging via regulating IRS1/PI3K/FOXO pathway. Front Pharmacol.
• Park DJ et al. (2019). Root Bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Extract and Its Component Methyl Gallate Possess Peroxynitrite Scavenging Activity and Anti-inflammatory Properties through NF-κB Inhibition in LPS-treated Mice. Molecules.
• Liu J et al. (2023). Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of the root bark of Paeonia x suffruticosa andrews: A comprehensive review. J Ethnopharmacol.
• Wen SY et al. (2023). Paeoniflorin found in Paeonia lactiflora root extract inhibits melanogenesis by regulating melanin-related signal transduction in B16F10 cells. J Cosmet Dermatol.
• Xue X et al. (2026). The root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa alleviates Staphylococcus aureus-induced pneumonia in mice by modulating toxin secretion and function. J Nat Med.

🧴 Products Containing PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA ROOT EXTRACT

• face
• LOOPS Dark Spot Mask
• Vitamasque Cranberry & Apple Limited Edition
• dr groot shampoo
• sephora
• Vichy Idéalia Eyes
• Christian Dior Dior Hydra Life – Aqua Sérum Hydratation Intense
• L’OREAL NORGE AS L’Oreal Age Perfect Gold Rosy Nattkrem 50ml
• Kiehl’s Since 1851 Clearly Corrective Brightening Exfoliating Daily Cleanser
• MASK
• belif Pore Cleaner Foam Cleanser
• Hayaseï Effet express soin choc antifatigue eye patch