Abstract: In order to find out an ultraviolet absorbent with excellent performance,extract of 27 kinds of Chinese traditional herbal medicine with sunscreen capability was screened separately as well as in blend form.Their UV absorbing efficacy was studied with ultraviolet spectroscopy.Results showed that the blend of ultraviolet absorbents displays a broad-spectrum ultraviolet absorption characteristics,which composed of extract of six kinds of Chinese traditional herbal medicine according to the volume ratio of 2∶2∶0.5∶5∶1.5∶1,namely as sophora seed,saffron crocus,Rhizoma coptidis,kuding tea, rose and violet.When the mass concentration of the blend is 0.30 g/L,the ultraviolet absorption efficacy was better than that of the alcohol extract of conventional sunscreen cream product.The DPPH· scavenging test showed that it displays a strong antioxidation activity,and its half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) is 13.1 mg/L.The photo and thermal stability of the blend ultraviolet absorbent is good,and can be used as a kind of natural additive for the application in the sunscreen cosmetics.

Key words: blend ultraviolet absorbent, Chinese traditional herbal medicine, stability, antioxidation activity