Compositions comprising solid particles entrapped in collapsed polymeric microspheres, and methods of making the same

The present invention relates to topical compositions containing solid particles that are stabilized via entrapment by microspheres and methods for making the same. Each of the microspheres contains a collapsed polymeric shell that has entrapped therein one or more solid particles. The solid particles are preferably formed of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both, which can readily be used either alone or in combination with other sunscreen agents to form sunscreen compositions of broader UV protection spectrum and enhanced photostability.