The exposure of cells to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which damage cellular components. Free radical scavengers and antioxidants can interfere with the production of ROS. We studied cytotoxicity, intracellular ROS levels, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status and oxidative DNA damage in cultured human skin dermal fibroblast adult cells (HDFa) exposed to UVB in the presence of sesamol, a natural phenolic compound. The levels of cytotoxicity, intracellular ROS, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and apoptotic morphological changes were significantly increased in UVB irradiated HDFa cells. We also observed that the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidant status (GSH) were significantly decreased in UVB irradiated cells. On the other hand, sesamol pretreatment significantly decreased cytotoxicity, intracellular ROS, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and apoptotic morphological changes in sesamol-pretreated and UVB-irradiated HDFa cells. We have also observed increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants status in sesamol plus UVB-irradiated cells. Among the different doses tested, 80 μM of sesamol shows maximum protection for UVB-induced oxidative damage. In conclusion, UVB-induced ROS formation, cell fatality, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant depletion and oxidative DNA damage in HDFa cells is inhibited by sesamol, which, probably through its ROS scavenging activity.