A Review of Herbal Photoprotective Agents: From Traditional Knowledge to Modern Sunscreen Formulations

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 01 | Page : 8 13
    By

    Mahi Solanki,

  • Jayalekshmi M.,

  • Makwana Divya,

  • Karan Solanki,

  • Sparsh Shah,

  1. Student, B.Pharm, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
  2. , Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
  3. Student, B.Pharm, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
  4. Student, B.Pharm, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
  5. Student, B.Pharm, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Continuous exposure of skin to UV rays leads to tanning, premature aging, sunburn, pigmentation, and skin cancer. Sunscreens are widely used to protect the skin from these harmful stimuli. However, sunscreen components may interfere with other health concerns like irritation, itching, allergic reactions, and distinct environmental damage. This major concern initiated the introduction of herbal photoprotective agents, which are eco-friendly, safer for use, and rich in antioxidants (preventing free radicals). Since ancient times, people began depending on plant sources due to their potent biochemical properties, natural defense, and their truly favorable healing mechanisms. India has a rich history of Ayurveda and herbal remedies, which aids even the formulation of sunscreens. The presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, essential oils, and other phytochemicals of plants has shown potent photoprotective activity. Phytochemicals, like polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and terpenoids, have demonstrated their significant ability to reduce or prevent inflammation, UV-induced oxidative stress, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and carcinogenesis. This review traces the journey from traditional knowledge and ethnobotanical uses of sun-protective botanicals to contemporary approaches for isolating, characterizing, and formulating their active constituents into modern sunscreen products. Studies have reported that various Indian plants can reduce UV-induced oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage or death. Including UV protection, these plants also possess anti-aging, repair skin damage, reduce inflammation, and enhance collagen synthesis (maintaining elasticity of skin, arteries, and organs). This review highlights various Indian herbal photoprotective agents, phytochemicals involved, mechanisms of action (in vivo and in vitro), available herbal formulations, and their potential role in contemporary formulations

Keywords: Antioxidants, herbal formulations, Indian herbals, integumentary system, photoprotective agents, sunscreen

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Herbal Science ]

How to cite this article:
Mahi Solanki, Jayalekshmi M., Makwana Divya, Karan Solanki, Sparsh Shah. A Review of Herbal Photoprotective Agents: From Traditional Knowledge to Modern Sunscreen Formulations. Research & Reviews : Journal of Herbal Science. 2026; 15(01):8-13.
How to cite this URL:
Mahi Solanki, Jayalekshmi M., Makwana Divya, Karan Solanki, Sparsh Shah. A Review of Herbal Photoprotective Agents: From Traditional Knowledge to Modern Sunscreen Formulations. Research & Reviews : Journal of Herbal Science. 2026; 15(01):8-13. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjohs/article=2026/view=240385


Browse Figures

References

  1. Nguyen AV, Soulika AM. The dynamics of the skin’s immune system. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 12;20(8):1811. doi: 10.3390/ijms20081811.
  2. Lauters R, Brown AD, Harrington KA. Melanoma: Diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2024 Oct;110(4):367–377.
  3. Neale RE, Khan SR, Lucas RM, Waterhouse M, Whiteman DC, Olsen CM. The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: A review. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Nov;181(5):907–915. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17980.
  4. Wyatt C, Neale RE, Lucas RM. Skin cancer and vitamin D: An update. Melanoma Manag. 2015 Feb;2(1):51–61. doi: 10.2217/mmt.14.31.
  5. Rabinovich L, Kazlouskaya V. Herbal sun protection agents: Human studies. Clin Dermatol. 2018 May–Jun;36(3):369–375. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2018.03.014.
  6. Li L, Chong L, Huang T, Ma Y, Li Y, Ding H. Natural products and extracts from plants as natural UV filters for sunscreens: A review. Anim Models Exp Med. 2023;6:183–195. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12295.
  7. Duale N, Olsen AK, Christensen T, Butt ST, Brunborg G. Octyl methoxycinnamate modulates gene expression and prevents cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation but not oxidative DNA damage in UV-exposed human cell lines. Toxicol Sci. 2010 Apr;114(2):272–284. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq005.
  8. Cefali LC, Ataide JA, Moriel P, Foglio MA, Mazzola PG. Plant-based active photoprotectants for sunscreens. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2016 Aug;38(4):346–353. doi: 10.1111/ics.12316.
  9. Gaweł-Bęben K, Strzępek-Gomółka M, Czop M, Sakipova Z, Głowniak K, Kukula-Koch W. Achillea millefolium L. and Achillea biebersteinii Afan. hydroglycolic extracts—bioactive ingredients for cosmetic use. Molecules. 2020 Jul 24;25(15):3368. doi: 10.3390/molecules25153368.
  10. Matts PJ, Alard V, Brown MW, Ferrero L, Gers-Barlag H, Issachar N, et al. The COLIPA in vitro UVA method: A standard and reproducible measure of sunscreen UVA protection. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2010 Feb;32(1):35–46. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2009.00542.x.
  11. de Medeiros Gomes J, Cahino Terto MV, Golzio do Santos S, Sobral da Silva M, Fechine Tavares J. Seasonal variations of polyphenols content, sun protection factor and antioxidant activity of two Lamiaceae species. Pharmaceutics. 2021 Jan 16;13(1):110. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13010110.
  12. Mejía-Giraldo JC, Gallardo C, Puertas-Mejía MA. Selected extracts from high mountain plants as potential sunscreens with antioxidant capacity. Photochem Photobiol. 2022 Jan;98(1):211–219. doi: 10.1111/php.13490.
  13. Muzaffer U, Paul VI, Prasad NR, Karthikeyan R, Agilan B. Protective effect of Juglans regia L. against ultraviolet B radiation induced inflammatory responses in human epidermal keratinocytes. Phytomedicine. 2018 Mar 15;42:100–111. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.03.024.
  14. Seregheti TMQ, Pinto APR, Gonçalves MDC, Antunes ADS, Almeida WADS, Machado RS, et al. Antiproliferative and photoprotective activities of the extracts and compounds from Calea fruticosa. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2020;53(9):e9375. doi: 10.1590/1414-431×20209375.
  15. Mejía-Giraldo JC, Henao-Zuluaga K, Gallardo C, Atehortúa L, Puertas-Mejía MA. Novel in vitro antioxidant and photoprotection capacity of plants from high altitude ecosystems of Colombia. Photochem Photobiol. 2016 Jan–Feb;92(1):150–157. doi: 10.1111/php.12543.
  16. Chen D, Du Z, Lin Z, Su P, Huang H, Ou Z, et al. The chemical compositions of Angelica pubescens oil and its prevention of UV-B radiation-induced cutaneous photoaging. Chem Biodivers. 2018 Oct;15(10):e1800235. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201800235. PMID:29996001.
  17. Chen J, Ran M, Wang M, Liu X, Liu S, Ruan Z, et al. Evaluation of antityrosinase activity and mechanism, antioxidation, and UV filter properties of theaflavin. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2022 Jun;69(3):951–962. doi: 10.1002/bab.2166.
  18. Baldisserotto A, Buso P, Radice M, Dissette V, Lampronti I, Gambari R, et al. Moringa oleifera leaf extracts as multifunctional ingredients for natural and organic sunscreens and photoprotective preparations. Molecules. 2018 Mar 15;23(3):664. doi: 10.3390/molecules23030664.
  19. Mejía-Giraldo JC, Gallardo C, Puertas-Mejía MA. Selected extracts from high mountain plants as potential sunscreens with antioxidant capacity. Photochem Photobiol. 2022 Jan;98(1):211–219. doi: 10.1111/php.13490.
  20. Rabinovich L, Kazlouskaya V. Herbal sun protection agents: Human studies. Clin Dermatol. 2018 May–Jun;36(3):369–375. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2018.03.014.
  21. Radice M, Manfredini S, Ziosi P, Dissette V, Fallacara A, Vertuani S. Herbal extracts, lichens and biomolecules as natural photo-protection alternatives to synthetic UV filters: A systematic review. Fitoterapia. 2016;114:144–162. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2016.09.003.
  22. Fonseca M, Rehman M, Soares R, Fonte P. The impact of flavonoid-loaded nanoparticles in the UV protection and safety profile of topical sunscreens. Biomolecules. 2023;13:493. doi: 10.3390/biom13030493.
  23. Ahmady A, Amini MH, Zhakfar AM, Babak G, Sediqi MN. Sun protective potential and physical stability of herbal sunscreen developed from Afghan medicinal plants. Turk J Pharm Sci. 2020 Jun;17(3):285–292. doi: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2019.15428.
  24. Damiani E, Puglia C. Nanocarriers and microcarriers for enhancing the UV protection of sunscreens: an overview. J Pharm Sci. 2019 Dec;108(12):3769-3780. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.09.009. PMID:31521640.
  25. Nascimento Júnior JAC, Santos AM, Oliveira AMS, Santos AB, de Souza Araújo AA, Aragón DM, et al. The tiny big difference: nanotechnology in photoprotective innovations—A systematic review. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2024 Sep 7;25(7):212. doi: 10.1208/s12249-024-02925-4.
  26. Jose J, Netto G. Role of solid lipid nanoparticles as photoprotective agents in cosmetics. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019 Feb;18(1):315–321. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12504.
  27. Wei M, He X, Liu N, Deng H. Role of reactive oxygen species in ultraviolet-induced photodamage of the skin. Cell Div. 2024 Jan 12;19(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13008-024-00107-z.
  28. Al-Sadek T, Yusuf N. Ultraviolet radiation biological and medical implications. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024 Feb 29;46(3):1924–1942. doi: 10.3390/cimb46030126.
  29. Zhao C, Wu S, Wang H. Medicinal plant extracts targeting UV-induced skin damage: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 4;26(5):2278. doi: 10.3390/ijms26052278.
  30. Lei X. Mechanisms and therapeutic roles of medicinal plants in skin photoaging. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2025 Jul 11;18:1709–1726. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S538326.
  31. Kohli I, Shafi R, Isedeh P, Griffith JL, Al-Jamal MS, Silpa-Archa N, et al. The impact of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract on ultraviolet B response: A human clinical study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Jul;77(1):33–41.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.01.044.
  32. Nestor MS, Berman B, Swenson N. Safety and efficacy of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract in healthy adult subjects. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Feb;8(2):19–23.
  33. Katiyar SK. Skin photoprotection by green tea: Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord. 2003 Sep;3(3):234–242. doi: 10.2174/1568008033340171.
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
Issue 01
Received 03/12/2025
Accepted 10/01/2026
Published 12/01/2026
Publication Time 40 Days
6

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics