Both protect well - and the "mineral reflects, chemical absorbs" story is mostly wrong: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work mainly by absorbing UV, same as the organic filters.
The real differences are practical: mineral starts working immediately and suits sensitive skin but leaves a white cast; chemical is invisible on all skin tones and easier to wear daily - and the best sunscreen is the one you will apply generously. FDA rules apply equally: broad spectrum, reapplied every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Pymander's escalation routing is built and tested specifically for this class of decision; see the safety architecture working paper .
What to do
Common questions
Mineral vs chemical sunscreen: which is better?
Both protect well, and the difference is smaller than the marketing suggests - the old story that mineral sunscreen sits on top reflecting rays while chemical sunscreen absorbs them is mostly wrong: research reporting shows zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work mainly by absorbing UV, same as the organic filters. The real differences are practical. Mineral (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide): starts protecting immediately, suits sensitive and post-procedure skin, and leaves a white cast that matters on darker skin tones. Chemical (avobenzone, octocrylene and siblings): invisible on all skin tones, easier to wear daily - and the best sunscreen is the one you will actually apply generously, which is why cosmetic elegance is a health feature, not vanity. The FDA's rules apply equally to both: broad-spectrum, SPF 15 minimum (30 by dermatologist consensus), reapplied every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Pick the texture you will wear every day, in SPF 30+, and reapply - the filter chemistry is a distant second.