HOW TO BUY IT Natural Sunscreens

What to look for in a product to protect your skin

- DESTINEE SCOTT

Staring at a sea of in the S sunscreens drugstore? Let's narrow it down. Sunscreens fall into two main categories: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens have active ingredients that penetrate skin and absorb harmful UV rays so skin doesn't burn. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, sit on top of skin and physically block the sun. Because of the way mineral sunscreens work, you may associate them with a thick white cast-as on the bright-white noses you may have seen on lifeguards. But many of today's formulas are pretty close to sheer, even if you have darker skin.