This study was aimed to produce a stable kenaf seed oil-nanostructured lipid carrier (KSO-NLC) sunscreen, which can help in the photoprotective effect. The nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation was optimized and selected based on the results of mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and storage stability of formulas at both chilled (4 AE 2 C) and room (25 AE 2 C) temperatures. Uvinul A plus B was added to KSO-NLC with the optimized formula (80% w/w aqueous phase, 20% w/w lipid phase, and 7% w/w of surfactants with a ratio of 70:15:15 of Tween 20: poloxamer 188: lecithin). The mean particle size distribution (224.73 AE 1.56 nm) and PDI (0.41 AE 0.01) of KSO-NLC were determined and were found to be stable against storage without creaming or phase separation. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and 2,2 0 -Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical-scavenging activities of KSO-NLC were 5.43 AE 1.00 mg Trolox equiv. g −1 of NLC and 6.70 AE 0.31 mg Trolox equiv. g −1 of NLC, respectively. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of KSO-NLC, 41.38 AE 6.03 with a UVA/UVB ratio 0.64 AE 0.01, suggested a good photoprotective effect. The sustained release of Univul A plus B from KSO-NLC accompanied by its entrapment efficiency up to 64.09 AE 0.98% and drug loading (DL) of 32.05 AE 0.49% (maximum 50% DL capacity) proved that the degradation of the ultraviolet (UV) filter could be reduced. Therefore, the KSO-NLC sunscreen was a feasible solution for the photoprotective approach by using unconventional plant seed oil with a significant enhancement (P < 0.05) in many aspects compared to the formula without KSO incorporation. Keywords Particle size Á Polydispersity index (PDI) Á Uvinul a plus B Á Entrapment efficiency (EE) Á Drug loading (DL) J Am Oil Chem Soc (2019) 96: 201-211.