Ultraviolet(UV)rays are suggested to be one of the factors responsible for skin photoaging induced by active oxygen species. In recent years, it has been reported that the intake of some compounds such as carotenoids prevented UV-induced photoaging. This study aims to investigate the effect of herb tea intake on the skin function of hairless mice irradiated with UV rays. The mice were given the following types of herb tea: Lavandula angustifolia, Malva sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Rosa laevigata, and Emblica officinalis. The skin condition of the Malva sylvestris-given mice was the best among all the experimental mice groups. Malva sylvestris had the lowest antioxidant activity and total polyphenolic content. While we could not identify the underlying mechanism, we infer that the long-term intake of herb tea such as Malva sylvestris increases the barrier function of the corneum and the water content of the epidermis
