This invention relates to a sunscreen composition comprising between about 1 and about 40 wt. % of a hydrophobic aromatic compound having extended conjugation in its structure and selected from the group (a), (b), (c) and (d) or a mixture of one or more of the above and between about 99 and about 60 wt. % of a film forming water based mixture of from about 12 to about 60 wt. % of a C8 to C14 alkyl lactam and mixtures thereof, from about 8 to about 15 wt. % of an Na or K salt of an organic surface active sulfate or sulfonate, from about 5 to about 30 wt. % of a water insoluble C10 to C20 alpha-olefin/N-vinyl lactam copolymer and from about 15 to about 40 wt. % water, which composition can be added to a cosmetic or agrochemical to stabilize the formulation against UV deterioration.