The use of cholesteric, liquid-crystalline compositions comprisinga) at least one chiral, liquid-crystalline, polymerizable monomer of the formula I,[Z.sup.1 -Y.sup.1 -(A.sup.1).sub.m -Y.sup.2 -M.sup.1 -Y.sup.3 -].sub.n -XI by means of which a cholesteric, liquid-crystalline phase with a pitch of less than 450 nm can be obtained, orb) a mixture ofb.sub.1) at least one achiral, liquid-crystalline, polymerizable monomer of the formula IIZ.sup.2 -Y.sup.4 -(A.sup.2)-.sub.o -Y.sup.5 -M.sup.2 -Y.sup.6 -(A.sup.3).sub.p -Y.sup.7 -Z.sup.3 lI andb.sub.2) at least one chiral additive by means of which a cholesteric, liquid-crystalline phase with a pitch of less than 450 nm can be obtained,where the variables are as defined in the description, as UV filters in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for protecting the human skin or human hair against sunlight, alone or together with UV-absorbent compounds which are known per se for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.