Sunscreening compound and method

A method of protecting skin from erythma inducing ultraviolet radiation which comprises applying to the skin an amount of a sunscreen composition sufficient for the protection thereof, said composition comprising an inert. dermatologically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a cream, a milk, an ointment, a gel, a lotion, a spray and an aerosol and from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight of an active ingredient consisting essentially of one or more compounds represented by the formula ##STR7## wherein n is 1, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkali metal, ammonium or ammonium substituted with one or more alkyl or hydroxy alkyl residues, R.sub.2 is hydroxymethyl or alkoxymethyl and R.sub.3 is hydrogen;

• or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent a methylene group and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl;
• and wherein n is 2, R.sub.1 is an alkaline earth metal, R.sub.2 is hydroxymethyl or alkoxymethyl and R.sub.3 is hydrogen;
• and
• pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.