Mineral Sunscreens, also known as Physical sunscreens can be described as follows: They sit on top of the skin and provide a physical barrier to block or scatter UV radiation before it can penetrate the skin They work immediately upon application to protect skin from harmful sun rays. They are safe for the environment and ocean ecosystems. They will not irritate the skin and are known to be safe for sensitive skin types. They will not clog pores because they do not penetrate deeply into the skin. They can limit rosacea and redness by deflecting heat from the skin. Chemical Sunscreens can be described as follows: They only become effective for sun protection 20 minutes after application. They absorb into the skin and subsequently absorb UV rays, so they actually trap the sun's harmful rays and hold them against your skin. They are also absorbed into living tissues and the bloodstream, and can be measured in blood and even breast milk samples. Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and other chemicals present in many sunscreens are known estrogen mimickers and endocrine disruptors, and are absorbed through the skin and into the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. While the human health implications of chemical sunscreens are quite concerning, the problems don’t end there. Unfortunately, these chemicals end up in the rivers, lakes and oceans we play in. Animals and aquatic wildlife exposed to endocrine disruptors are also susceptible to ill effects similar to those faced by humans. They contaminate all waterways and destroy the world's coral reefs by causing coral bleaching. Even if people using chemical sunscreens don't come in contact with a lake, river, or ocean, the chemicals still end up in our waterways when they are rinsed off in the shower and flow downstream. Because of their harmful effects to people and the environment, they have been banned in Hawaii, Florida, and several countries around the world, with many others planning to follow suit. The research that supported the ban only focused on the two most harmful chemicals: Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. The truth is, there are 8 harmful chemical UV absorbers used widely throughout the sunscreen industry. They include: Other items to look for that are red flags in sunscreen ingredient lists are parabens (harmful preservatives that keep products stable and free from fungus, but ALSO mimic hormones and disrupt your endocrine system), Pthalates (used as solvents in fragrances which can lead to skin irritations), Triclosan (a suspected carcinogen used to kill germs), and anything that forms microbeads (microscopic plastics that can be easily ingested by marine life).