10 Best Sunscreens for Every Skin Concern, Tested and Reviewed 2025

There are two types of sunscreen formulas: minerals (also known as physical beacons) and chemical. Although they both protect your skin from the sun, the way it does is completely different.

“The sun barriers, or physical sunscreen works, by sitting over your skin to reflect ultraviolet rays, while the chemical sunscreen sinks in your skin to absorb ultraviolet rays and turn them into heat,” says a chemical sunscreen in your skin. Sherine Idris, MarylandA dermatologist accredited by the Board of Directors in New York City. The sunscreen often includes antioxidants that remove free radicals-which cause ultraviolet-based damage-and reduce damage to your skin cells. Their active ingredients can include filters such as Avobenzone, Oxybenzone and Homosalaate.

Regardless of the “sunscreen” and “Sunblock”, you can learn the type of protection you get by taking a peek at the ingredient label. If you see sunscreen ingredients for a dioxide of titanium and zinc oxide, you are dealing with the material barrier of the sun. Appleb says the metal blocks tend to be less irritation for sensitive skin. It also works immediately and does not require any time to stop before you can go to the sun (chemical sunscreen, and at the same time, it takes about 20 or 30 minutes to start working properly). Physical blockers also tend to be thicker and more difficult. Chemical formulas have a history of being easier to use because they are the easiest formula to apply and leave fewer white actors.