eng Innovesen Journals Decipher Ayurveda 3107-8214 2026-07-06 02 01 37 47 5 research-article Riya Mehra 1 Pragati Triphati 2 Abhijeet Ojha 3 Arun Kumar 4 Vikas Bhatt 5 Goswami Mamta 6 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Amrapali University Haldwani Uttarakhand The damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin include skin burns, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Sunscreens are extensively utilized for UV protection. Herbal sunscreens have recently been con sidered because of their safety, antioxidant potential, and fewer side effects. The flowers of Rhododendron barbatum contain flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and saponins that impart photoprotective properties to the flowers. Hydroalcoholic extraction was c arried out using a maceration process, where ethanol and water were used in 70:30 ratio. The phytochemical analysis was undertaken on R. barbatum flowers. Three different formulations were used (F1, F2, and F3). These were screened against various paramete rs, including colour, pH, spreadability, washability, stability, and patch tests, and SPF determination using the Mansur equation. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and saponins. All formulations exhibited goo d physicochemical properties. Among the formulations, F3 was most homogeneous, spreadable, and stable. The patch test revealed that the formulation was non irritating. In the SPF evaluation, F3 provided an SPF value of approximately 8. The SPF activity is due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols that exhibit good antioxidant properties and UV absorptive properties. This helps prevent oxidative stress and UV - induced damage. The enhanced activity exhibited by formulation F3 can be attributed to the highe r concentration of extracts present in this formulation. The herbal sunscreen cream was chemically and physically stable, safe, and showed moderate photoprotective efficacy. Therefore, it can be considered an alternative to artificial sunscreen creams. https://innovesenjournals.in/r/imrs/public/article.php?id=5 Herbal sunscreen Rhododendron barbatum ultraviolet radiation SPF flavonoids photoprotection.