Abstract: A composition is described, which comprises a cationic, hydrophilic, amine containing cationic derivatives of native chitosan; bound to an anionic scavenger substance, which is either (a) selected from the group consisting of anionic ethylene amine compounds, tetraazacycloalkane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acids; and polymer derivatives of porphyrines, or, (b) in the case of use in an UV radiation absorbing formulation, an antiviral, antifungal or anti-inflammatory formulation, an endogenous compound wherein cationic derivatives of native chitosan are not covalently bound to DTPA or EDTA; the amount of EDTA exceeds 0.5 wight percent; and taurine and taurine derivatives are not present.