Tunable sunscreen compositions include quantum confined nanoparticles selected from the group of zinc oxide nanoparticles, titanium oxide nanoparticles, and gallium nitride-based nanoparticles. The zinc oxide nanoparticles have particle sizes that provide either quantum confined absorption at wavelengths of 290 nm to about 400 nm or emission at about 275 nm to about 290 nm. Still further, the zinc oxide with the quantum confined absorption provides transmission of radiation at wavelengths of about 275 nm to about 290 nm.
