There are two types of sunscreens: physical (also known as mineral) and chemical. Physical sunscreen blocks UV rays by acting as a protective covering for your skin. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, absorbs UV rays, turns them into heat, and releases them from your body. Chemical sunscreens might have any combination of oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene, or octisalate, while mineral sunscreens typically only have titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both.