Long-term exposure to UV radiation leads to skin ageing and may initiate carcinogenesis. In both cases immunosuppressive activity of UV radiation plays an important role. The aim of the study is to present polyphenols commonly seen in flora and their properties protecting the skin from the damaging influence of UV rays. Polyphenols are a group of compounds which are present in plants. Their common features are: the ring structure of a molecule, hydroxyl groups in the rings and a conjugated double bond system. Such structure makes polyphenols active antioxidants. They also demonstrate anti-immunosuppressive properties.