Disclosed are merocyanine derivatives of formula (1), wherein Rand R independently from each other are branched C-Calkylor branched C-C alkenyl R and Rindependently from each other are cyano COR, COOR CONRRSO(C- C)aryl C-Calk-1-enylC-Ccycloalk-1-enyl C-Calk-1-inylC-Cheteroalkyl C- CheterocycloalkylC-Caryl or C-Cheteroarylwherein at least one of R and R is cyano R andR independently from each other are hydrogen C-CalkylC-Ccycloalkyl which may be substituted by one or morethan one C-Calkyl and R and R independentlyfrom each other are hydrogen C-Calkyl C-CalkenylC- Calkinyl C-CcycloalkylC-Ccycloalkenyl -(CH)COOHC-Caralkyl C- CheteroalkylC-Cheteroaralkyl C-CarylC-Cheteroaryl. The compounds are useful as UV absorbersfor protecting human hair and skin against the damaging effect of UV radiation.
