Lignin is a kind of abundant and environment-friendly polyphenol polymer that can be used as a natural antioxidant. Meanwhile, lignin has the advantages of good light stability, UV resistance and biodegradability, how to better develop and utilize its antioxidant function has attracted extensive attention of researchers. First, this paper summarized the recent advances about the structure-activity relationship of lignin antioxidant, the influence and mechanism of lignin microstructural on its antioxidant ability were summarized, and the main problems faced by structure-activity study were discussed. Secondly, the efforts on improving the antioxidant activity of lignin were introduced from the perspectives of fractional purification, nano modification and chemical modification. Finally, by introducing the application of lignin in sunscreen, polymer functional composites and medical materials, the contribution of antioxidant property of lignin to the anti-UV ability, thermal oxygen stability and bacteriostatic activity was discussed, which could provid a reference for the preparation and application of lignin-based functional materials.