Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major cause of skin photoaging. In recent years, the prevention of UV damage to the skin has been valued by the public, and the exploring of the photoaging prevention active substances has become a research hotspot. This article introduces the effect of UV on the skin and the mechanisms of photoaging. Different pathways are reviewed, including UV absorption, anti-oxidation, regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis and decomposition, inhibition of pigmentation, relief of skin inflammation and regulation of autophagy of different plant extracts delay the ageing of the skin light effect, in order to provide reference for the research and application of natural plant photoprotective functional cosmetics.