Disclosed herein are water-soluble UV absorbing compounds of Formula I with two quaternary ammonium centers, wherein; R is selected from saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups with C12 to C22 carbon atoms and R1 is selected from H or methoxy group. The invention further discloses the synthesis of highly substantive water-soluble UV absorbers containing two quaternary ammonium centers, cinnamidopropyl (2-hydroxypropyl alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) dimonium chlorides of Formula I and the compositions containing the same in personal care products.