PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIALS, ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF TERRESTRIAL AND MARINE-DERIVED NATURAL PRODUCTS-BASED TOPICAL SUNSCREENS

Abstract

        Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and increase skin cancer risk. Sunscreens help protect the skin, but some synthetic UV filters are associated with both health and environmental concerns. Some literature has reported medical problems associated with the use of synthetic sunscreen agents, such as skin irritation, hormonal disruption, photosensitivity, and specific inhalation concerns for spray/powder sunscreens. Other literature has also reported relevant ecological issues, both to the marine ecosystem, such as coral reef bleaching and disturbance to the microbiome of aquatic life, and to the terrestrial ecosystem, such as soil toxicity and disrupted plant growth. These issues prompt a focused review of recent works on nature-based topical sunscreens as a viable alternative. This narrative review summarizes recent studies on terrestrial and marine natural products as ingredients for topical sunscreens. Articles were retrieved from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and PubMed for publications from 2016 to January 2026. The reviewed literature discusses sunscreen classification, natural ingredients with photoprotective and skin-nourishing effects, as well as human-health and ecological considerations. Overall, many natural ingredients show potential as sunscreen additives and may provide antioxidant and skin-nourishing benefits. However, their photoprotective capacity and stability can vary with formulation and concentration, and long-term data associated with the safety, efficacy, and economic viability of natural ingredients as active sunscreen agents are still limited. Further studies on formulation, preservation, safety testing, and environmental impacts are needed to support the development of effective and eco-friendly nature-based sunscreens.

Abstrak

       Radiasi ultraviolet (UV) dapat menyebabkan kulit terbakar, penuaan dini, dan meningkatkan risiko kanker kulit. Tabir surya membantu melindungi kulit, tetapi beberapa filter UV sintetis dikaitkan dengan isu kesehatan dan lingkungan. Sejumlah literatur melaporkan masalah medis berkaitan dengan penggunaan agen tabir surya sintetis, seperti iritasi kulit, gangguan hormonal, fotosensitivitas, serta kekhawatiran terkait inhalasi pada tabir surya semprot atau bubuk. Literatur lain juga melaporkan isu ekologis yang relevan, baik pada ekosistem laut, seperti pemutihan terumbu karang dan gangguan pada mikrobioma biota perairan, maupun pada ekosistem terestrial, seperti toksisitas tanah dan gangguan pertumbuhan tanaman. Isu-isu ini mendorong dilakukannya tinjauan terfokus terhadap karya-karya terkini mengenai tabir surya topikal berbasis bahan alam sebagai alternatif. Tinjauan naratif ini merangkum studi-studi terbaru mengenai produk alam asal terestrial dan laut sebagai bahan untuk tabir surya topikal. Artikel ditelusuri melalui Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, dan PubMed, dengan waktu publikasi 2016 hingga Januari 2026. Literatur yang ditinjau membahas klasifikasi tabir surya, bahan alam dengan potensi fotoprotektif serta efek menutrisi kulit, serta pertimbangan kesehatan manusia dan aspek ekologis. Secara umum, banyak bahan alam menunjukkan potensi sebagai bahan tambahan tabir surya dan dapat memberikan manfaat tambahan berupa aktivitas antioksidan serta efek menutrisi kulit. Namun, kapasitas fotoprotektif dan stabilitasnya dapat bervariasi bergantung pada formulasi dan konsentrasi, sementara data jangka panjang terkait keamanan, efektivitas, dan kelayakan ekonomi bahan alam sebagai agen aktif tabir surya masih terbatas. Penelitian lanjutan mengenai formulasi, pengawetan, uji keamanan, serta dampak lingkungan masih diperlukan untuk mendukung pengembangan tabir surya berbasis bahan alam yang efektif dan ramah lingkungan.

Kata kunci: bahan alam; filter UV; formulasi tabir surya; fotoproteksi