Provided are skin care compositions that are useful as SPF and UV absorption boosters in formulations containing inorganic metal oxides. The compositions comprise (a) 0.1 to 20 weight % inorganic metal oxide particles, based on the weight of the composition, (b) 0.1 to 15 weight % copolymer particles dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein the copolymer particles comprise polymerized units derived from (i) 0.1 to 20 weight % of phosphorus acid monomers, and (ii) 80 to 99.9 weight % of comonomers, and (c) a dermatologically acceptable carrier. Also provided are methods of protecting skin from UVA and UVB damage comprising topically administering such compositions to the skin, and methods of boosting the SPF or UV absorption of a sunscreen composition containing inorganic metal oxide particles comprising including such copolymer particles in the composition.