If you haven’t already guess, I have a huge thing for peonies (white peonies, to be exact). The final days of spring and the early days of summer always signal their arrival, and I’d like to think I’m one of the first peony enthusiasts to frequent my neighborhood farmers market each year in search of my favorite blooms. However, one of the biggest downsides to loving peonies as much as I do, is that the flower comes around for a few short weeks before they’re gone for another year and I’m forced to display a ranunculus bouquet on my dining room table in their absence. Admittedly, as much as I love their crepe paper-like petals in pastels and bicolors, they don’t hold a candle to my beloved peonies.
Here’s the thing—while I’ll always be an admirer of my favorite flower’s delicate and showy blooms, I also appreciate their more medicinal qualities in a number of my favorite beauty products across fragrance and skincare. In case you’re not as obsessed with the psychology of flora and fauna scents as I happen to be, the use of floral notes like peonies can illicit feelings of anything from happiness and sensuality to stillness and nostalgia (the later of which happens to be the most applicable for many of the peony-infused scents I love to wear). Alternately, peony is used in skin and body care products for its uniquely potent and fast-working antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Wondering which peony-infused beauty items I always have within reach? Keep reading to see my edit of the best currently trending and sleeper hit peony beauty products on the market that offer peony goodness year-round. That’s right… you won’t have to wait until they hit peak bloom in spring to enjoy them.
Peony-Powered Skincare
Chantecaille
Blanc Peony Face Serum Dark Spot Corrector
Key Ingredients: Multi-Brightening Complex (Thiamidol and White Peony), Oligopeptides, Bionymph Peptide, Crystal Peptide, Portulaca extract
Of the three products included in Chantecaille’s Blanc Peony line, the face serum has made the biggest difference in fading the hyperpigmentation and acne scaring around my mouth, nose, and eyes. Its Multi-Brightening Complex (a mixture of thiamidol and white peony) illuminates the complexion while radiance-boosting peptides and oligopeptides leaves my skin smooth and even-toned. I’ve only been using the line for a month, and have already seen a huge improvement in the look of pesky dark spots.
Chantecaille
Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector
Key Ingredients: Multi-Brightening Complex (Thiamidol and White Peony), Bionymph Peptide, Crystal Peptide, Bitter Ginger extract
While I’ll forever appreciate the doe-like shape of my almond eyes, it takes some extra effort to keep them looking bright and alert with my hereditary dark circles. Since I’ve added this eye serum to my routine, I’ve noticed how much more awake they look from the moment I sweep it on following the application of the face serum. Not only is it formulated to address fine lines and wrinkles, but it also helps lessen the appearance of redness using a unique combination of bionymph and and crystal peptides. I also can’t get enough of its cooling tip applicator.
Chantecaille
Blanc Peony Face Cream Dark Spot Corrector
Key Ingredients: Multi-Brightening Complex (Thiamidol and White Peony), Daphne Stem Cells extract, Oligopeptides, Bionymph Peptide, Portulaca extract
I’m extremely picky about which face creams I select to incorporate into my skincare routine as spring turns to summer, and Chantecaille’s Blanc Peony Face Cream has become an favorite of mine (so much so, I’m considering using it year-round). It uses the same impressive Multi-Brightening Complex as the other products in the brand’s Blanc Peony line plus the addition of Portulaca extract to sooth the skin, keeping it bright and even-toned.
Tatcha
Ageless Renewal Cream
Key Ingredients: peony, gardenia fruit extract, Hadasei-3
If you’re on the hunt for another rich, peony-infused face cream to elevate skincare routines, your search ends here. Of the brand’s three peony infused skincare products offered to date, Tatcha’s Ageless Renewal Cream has claimed its spot in my ever-growing beauty cabinet. Peony is used in this formula to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the addition of gardenia fruit extract turns back time for loss of elasticity. Finally, Hadasei-3 promotes skin radiance by supporting the barrier,
Typology
Purifying Night Serum Botanical Blend with Peony
Key Ingredients: peony native cells, jojoba botanical oil, hemisqualane, tea tree essential oil, rose geranium essential oil
As a longterm fan of Typology’s versatile botanical-based skincare offerings, I was beyond excited to discover that their purifying night serum uses cells from my peonies to purify my skin. Combining three categories of active ingredients (plant cells, botanical oils and essential oils), this serum helps regenerate and purify skin while you catch up on your beauty sleep. I like to apply it as the final step of my skincare routine by massaging three drops of the serum onto my face and letting it soak in before I climb into bed.
Perfume with Peony Notes
Caswell-Massey
Peony Perfume
Scent Type: amber floral
Notes: wild berries, pink peony, amber, green resin
Inspired by the Paeonia lactiflora that can be found blooming along the New York Botanical Garden’s perennial walk as spring turns to summer, the Peony Perfume by Caswell-Massey combines dewy-kissed pink peony petals with juicy wild berries—a timeless combination that’s undeniably sweet and sophisticated. As the fragrance is worn throughout the day, it reveals a layer of amber and green resin, creating a clean, skin-like scent to perfectly balance the bright floral notes. This one stands out to me because it stays all day (even through my long walks in the park and pilates classes). Plus, every purchase directly supports the New York Botanical Garden.
Jo Malone London
Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
Scent Type: fruity floral
Notes: red apple, peony, jasmine, rose, gillyflower, suede
While I don’t have a history of being the biggest fan of fruity fragrances, this lively scent always wins me over. Jo Malone London’s Peony & Blush Suede combines a delicate bouquet of soft florals (peony, jasmine, gillyflower, and rose) with crisp red apple that plays off the peony’s honey accents. Its base features suede, which offers smooth sensuality and warm to an otherwise youthful perfume. The best part? The scent comes in everything from body lotion to diffusers so you can enjoy this one everywhere.
Aerin
Fleur de Peony Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: fruity floral
Notes: lychee, peony, sandalwood
Studies show that using perfume can illicit particular emotions, so why not use a scent that can offer the energy to help you get through your day with a peony touch? Aerin’s Fleur de Peony has been my top pick for a fragrance that helps me start of my day on a good note thanks to a game-changing blend of soft peonies and tropical lychee notes against a sandalwood base. It’s one of the few fruity floral perfumes I always feel myself drawn to and couldn’t imagine not having in my collection. It’s also special for the brand’s founder Aerin Lauder, as peonies were used on her wedding day.
Elizabeth W
Peony Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: classic floral
Notes: peony, pear, rose, jasmine
When I think of a timeless classic floral fragrance, peony often comes to mind as one of the notes I’m after. The Peony Eau de Parfum by Elizabeth W takes everything I love about peony perfumes and adds touches of soft florals that smell fresh enough to be straight from the garden and a hint of juicy pear. It’s a fresh take on traditional fragrance note that’s so captivating and charming it has made its way into my daily scent lineup. Plus, it’s housed in the prettiest antique-inspired glass bottle that I’m proud to display on my vanity whenever I get the chance.
LoveShackFancy
Bohème Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: classic floral
Notes: blackcurrant, peony, tuberose, rose, jasmine, white amber, sandalwood
Another classic floral fragrance I can’t stop wearing is LoveShackFancy’s Bohème Eau de Parfum. Not only is the antique-inspired baby blue and navy featured on its bow-bestowed bottle stunning, but so is the classic scent inside. It opens with sweet blackcurrant and peony before revealing white florals (tuberose, rose, and jasmine). Finally, we’re greeted by a base of white amber and sandalwood which adds a touch of warmth to the powdery, coolness of the florals. It wears beautifully alone, but I’ve also discovered how nicely it pairs with Caswell-Massey’s Peony Perfume.
More Peony Beauty Must-Haves
More Peony-Infused Must-Haves
Antica Farmacista
Pink Peony & Citron Bubble Bath
Lafco
Duchess Peony Candle
Jo Malone London
Peony & Blush Suede Hand Cream
Sisley-Paris
Ecological Compound Advance Formula Blooming Peony Edition
Dr. Vranjes Firenze
Peonia Black Jasmine Home Fragrance
