The difference between physical (also called mineral) and chemical sunscreens is how they work. Physical sunscreen uses inorganic chemicals that can reflect or scatter sunlight away from the skin, and chemical sunscreens use organic (carbon-based) chemicals to absorb UV rays so that skin doesn’t absorb it. Some people prefer chemical sunscreens because they are generally very lightweight and easy to blend, which makes them easy to reapply, for example. Other people prefer mineral sunscreens because they work very quickly once applied to skin and can work well with sensitive skin.