Peony: Korea's hanbang heritage ingredient 작약
⏱ 1 min read
⚡ Quick answer: Peony (작약, jagyak) is a hanbang botanical Korea has used in traditional skincare for generations. Used in hanbang skincare as a botanical extract in brightening and firming-focused lines, particularly in premium ranges that lean on traditional formulation heritage. Claims concern the appearance of tone and radiance.
Peony root is a long-standing ingredient in East Asian herbal tradition and appears in Korean hanbang formulations. It was historically associated with women's tonics and with formulas intended to be restorative.
🗣️ Peony — Hangul 작약, romanized jagyak, say "JAH-gyahk".
In modern K-beauty
Used in hanbang skincare as a botanical extract in brightening and firming-focused lines, particularly in premium ranges that lean on traditional formulation heritage. Claims concern the appearance of tone and radiance.
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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.