Sunscreen compositions having a synergistic combination of ultraviolet light (UV) filtering agents that provide a high sun protection factor (SPF). Compositions according to the disclosure have high SPF values without requiring high overall amounts of UV filtering agents. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to methods of using the described compositions for protecting keratinous substances such as skin and hair from UV radiation. The ratio of each filter relative to avobenzone in the sunscreen compositions is typically as follows: octocrylene to avobenzone is 0.8:1.0 to 1.5:1.0； Tinosorb S to avobenzone 0.3:1.0 to 0.8:1.0； Uvinul T150 to avobenzone is 0.3: 1.0 to 1.0:1.0； Mexoryl SX to avobenzone is 0.1 :1.0 to 0.5:1.0； and Mexoryl XL to avobenzone is 0.3:1.0 to 1.0:1.0. The ratios relative to avobenzone are about: 1.2 : 1.0 : 0.5 : 0.6 : 0.4: 0.6 (octocrylene : avobenzone : Tinosorb S: Uvinul T150 : Mexoryl SX: Mexoryl XL).
