Formulation And Evaluation of Herbal Sunscreen Cream: A Review

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the major causes of skin damage, photoaging, erythema, pigmentation, immunosuppression, and skin cancer. Sunscreens are widely used to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation. Conventional synthetic sunscreens are effective but may cause adverse effects such as skin irritation, allergic reactions, phototoxicity, and environmental concerns. Consequently, herbal sunscreen formulations have gained increasing attention because of their natural origin, safety, antioxidant activity, and photoprotective potential. Herbal sunscreens utilize plant-derived bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, tannins, and essential oils that can absorb UV radiation and neutralize free radicals generated by sunlight. This review summarizes the mechanisms of UV-induced skin damage, photoprotective phytoconstituents, formulation approaches for herbal sunscreen creams, evaluation parameters, SPF determination methods, and recent advances in herbal sunscreen development. Herbal sunscreen creams containing Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, Camellia sinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Calendula officinalis, and other medicinal plants have shown promising SPF values and skin-protective effects. The review highlights the potential of herbal sunscreen formulations as safer and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic sunscreens.