<![CDATA[Abstract. The development of natural-based sunscreen formulations continues to increase; however, the most promising types of secondary metabolites and optimal extraction methods have not yet been comprehensively mapped. This study aimed to evaluate the use of natural extracts in sunscreen formulations based on plant species, secondary metabolite content, extraction methods, and photoprotective activity. The method employed was a Systematic Literature Review involving the stages of searching, selecting, and extracting data from the Wiley, MDPI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases within the 2019–2025 publication range. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that Calendula arvensis was the most promising candidate at the extract level, with an SPF value of 193.49 ± 0.24. The best performance at the finished product level was observed in gels containing Sloanea medusula and S. calva (SPF 57–60) as well as Vaccinium varingiaefolium gel (SPF 21.56). Dominant secondary metabolites contributing to the photoprotective effect included polyphenols—such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins—as well as mycosporine-like amino acids, which act as UV absorbers and antioxidants. These findings support the development of effective, safe, and sustainable natural sunscreens. Abstrak. Pengembangan sediaan tabir surya berbasis bahan alam terus meningkat, namun jenis metabolit sekunder paling potensial serta metode ekstraksi yang optimal belum terpetakan secara komprehensif. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi pemanfaatan ekstrak alami dalam formulasi tabir surya berdasarkan jenis tanaman, kandungan metabolit sekunder, metode ekstraksi, dan aktivitas fotoprotektif. Metode yang digunakan adalah Systematic Literature Review melalui tahapan pencarian, seleksi, dan ekstraksi data dari basis data Wiley, MDPI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, dan Springer pada rentang tahun 2019–2025. Delapan artikel memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Hasil menunjukkan Calendula arvensis sebagai kandidat paling potensial pada tingkat ekstrak dengan nilai SPF 193,49 ± 0,24. Performa sediaan jadi terbaik ditemukan pada gel Sloanea medusula dan S. calva dengan SPF 57–60 serta gel Vaccinium varingiaefolium dengan SPF 21,56. Metabolit sekunder dominan yang berkontribusi meliputi polifenol, yaitu senyawa fenolik, flavonoid, tanin, antosianin, serta mycosporine-like amino acids yang berperan sebagai penyerap UV dan antioksidan. Temuan ini mendukung pengembangan tabir surya alami yang efektif, aman, dan berkelanjutan secara luas.]]>
