The present invention relates to novel benzotriazoles and to novel topical compositions comprising these benzotriazoles. Furthermore the invention relates to the use of the novel benzotriazoles as photostabilizer and solubiliser for dibenzoylmethane derivatives such as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. In one aspect the invention relates to novel benzotriazoles of formula (Ia) wherein R is hydrogen Calkyl Calkoxy Calkoxycarbonyl Ccycloalkyl Caryl or aralkyl R is hydrogen Calkyl Calkoxy or halogen preferably hydrogen or Cl R is hydrogen or Calkyl R is Calkyl or Ccydoalkyl.