An active or functional organic compound is solubilized in a diaryl organic compound having a polar or polarizable functional group therein, as a solvent, cosolvent or additive, to form a composition thereof. Representative active or functional organic compounds include those present in personal care products, e.g., sunscreens containing UVA/UVB absorbing compounds, such as avobenzone, benzophenone-3, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. Such compositions also show increased SPF, UVA/UVB absorbance ratio, and critical wavelength performance properties.