Herein, a personal care formulation is described. The formulation includes a personal care ingredient, in which quantum dots and a UVA-absorbing species are dissolved or dispersed. The formulation absorbs at least a portion of light at wavelengths below 280 nm and above 315 nm. In some embodiments, the formulation emits light with a peak maximum in the region of 290 nm to 300 nm. When applied to the skin, the formulation can be used to mitigate some of the harmful effects of sunlight and manmade lighting products, such as compact fluorescent lamps, while enabling the skin to absorb at least a portion of light required to synthesize vitamin D in vivo.
