The present invention relates generally to the use of 
vitamin B12 (
cobalamin or 
cyanocobalamin) alone or in combination with other photoprotective agents, including specifically other vitamins such as 
vitamin B9 (
folic acid or folate) and 
vitamin B3 (
niacin or 
niacinamide), or any chemical derivative of these vitamins and their salts, as a filter to protect cells against the damaging effects of 
ultraviolet (UV) light. The invention is, in one aspect, a method of reducing the rate of UV damage to cells exposed to a UV 
light source, by treating the cells with the vitamin composition, either alone or in combination with other photoprotective agents. Other aspects of the invention are compositions comprising effective amounts of 
vitamin B12 alone or in combination with other photoprotective agents including 
vitamin B9 and 
vitamin B3 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, that are useful in protecting cells, particularly 
skin cells, against the burning, genotoxic (mutagenic and carcinogenic), immunosuppressive and 
photoaging effects of UV light, especially 
sunlight. The invention has application as a UV 
light filter in oral preparations including tablets and drinks, topical creams, lotions, sprays, wipes and 
cosmetics. The invention also has application as a medicinal treatment for dermatological conditions caused by 
exposure to 
sunlight, such as 
actinic keratoses, photodermatitis, photo-induced (discoid) 
lupus erythematosus and the photosensitizing effects of a variety of drugs used commonly in clinical practice (e.g. certain antihistamines, ACE inhibitors, and 
antibiotics such as 
tetracycline).