Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation provokes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells and skin, which induce oxidative stress in the exposed cells, leading to photoaging and cancer. Using the human keratinocytes HaCaT cell line, we investigated the photoprotective effects of aucubin isolated from Eucommia ulmoides. Pretreatment with aucubin markedly suppressed UVB-induced oxidative stress, which manifests as a decrease in intracellular lipid peroxidation, elevation of catalase activity, and reduced glutathione content. In addition, aucubin significantly reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) protein (54%) and mRNA. Taken together, these results suggest that aucubin may offer protection against UVB-induced oxidative stress and may be used as a potential agent in prevention of UVB-induced photoaging.