There are described personal care compositions containing a) one or more
dibenzoylmethane sunscreening agents; and b) a photostablising amount of
a salicylate ester of formula (1): (2-OH)Ph-(CO)--O--R, wherein R
represents an alkyl group consisting of a chain of from 7 to 16 carbon
atoms substituted by at least one group selected from methyl and ethyl.
The compound of formula (1) is preferably isodecyl salicylate or
isotridecyl salicylate. The salicylate esters of formula (1) have a
stabilizing effect on the compositions. The salicylate esters prevent or
inhibit degradation of the sunscreening agents which would otherwise lead
to a reduction in the efficacy of the sunscreening agents and an increase
in the deleterious effects of exposure to sunlight on the user of the
compositions or on the compositions themselves.