Personal care compositions comprising a polymer-bound UV absorber are described that provide enhanced properties, including customizable UV spectrum protection, broad-spectrum UV spectrum protection, water resistance, and labile UV stabilization. The polymer comprises anhydride functionality, such as maleic anhydride or a derivative thereof, and the UV absorber contains at least one hydroxyl, primary amine, or secondary amine group.The personal care compositions may be used to treat and/or protect against burns, cancers, erythema, lentigo (“liver spots”), keratotic lesions, wrinkles, and cellular changes of the skin; and/or color changes, embrittlement, lack of luster, tangles, split ends, and/or unmanageability of the hair.