I’ve just recently realised that I’ve mentioned Canmake’s Mermaid Skin Gel many times and lauded it as one of my favourite sunscreens on the market. But I’ve just never properly reviewed it. So, here it is: my Canmake Mermaid skin sunscreen review – of a sunscreen that I love using. (Yup.)

What it is

Canmake Mermaid skin sunscreen review

Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ is a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s very lightweight, has both physical and chemical filters but doesn’t include alcohol or fragrance. It’s lighter than my old fave Isdin, similarly lightweight but with a wholly different texture than Paula’s Choice’s Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid.

BEWARE: there’re two versions on the market: clear (the one I’m reviewing here) and white, which, believe it or not, has an intentional white tint for – skin brightening?!?!?

Canmake’s description

Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV review

SPF 50+ / PA++++
Smooth gel without that roughness or stickiness characteristic of most sunscreens. Recommended for those who prefer a light, refreshing sunscreen. Splash it on like a facial lotion – also serves as a make-up base. (…) Infuses your skin with moisture, helping your foundation to sit better and last longer.

Canmake

Ingredients

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Methylheptyl Laurate, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Glucan, Phytic Acid, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi (Job S Tears) Seed Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Silver Oxide, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract

Filters

Octinoxate: UVB

Uvinul-A: UVA

Tinosorb S: UVA/UVB

Zinc Oxide: UVA/UVB

Titanium Dioxide: UVA/UVB

Formula

Canmake Mermaid Skin sunscreen ingredients

Let’s chat very quickly about the filters used here: A mix of physical/chemical filters. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are excellent, stable and non-irritant broad spectrum filters. Tinosorb S and Univinul-A are a newer generation of filters: also excellent, because both are very stable as well. Tinosorb S offers also broad spectrum protection. Octinoxate is a UVB filter that companies love to use because it’s ‘cosmetically elegant’. It’s not very stable, though, but Tinosorb S stabilises it. It has gotten a bad rep because it’s not considered coral-friendly, and also because in vitro experiment showed in the past that it might have hormonal effects (Incidecoder).

Other notable ingredients are a LOT of antioxidants, Sodium Hyaluronate (salt of Hyaluronic Acid) and a ceramide precursor. Thumbs up.

Lots of silicones give it that melting, slippery feel when applying. There’re also some moisturising agents.

Application/Texture

best abeauty sunscreen

The Mermaid Skin Gel UV comes out of the tube as a yellow-tinted lotion that turns watery upon application. It smells faintly of coconuts (that’s the Methylheptyl Laurate, a coconut-derived emollient), and, upon spreading it onto your face, it’ll leave a white cast. For me (I’m rather pale, MAC NC15-20), that vanishes after a while. I’ve read reviews from people ranging from NC35 to darker who said that it worked well for them.

I apply a generous amount on my face (usually one and a half finger length), spread it carefully all over and let it set for at least five minutes until I start to do my akeup. It leaves a primer-like canvas, and is, in fact, absolutely great as a makeup base.

There’s only one weird thing: it works best for me in summer. It’s made in Japan, and my theory is that it’s formulated for hotter and more humid climates. It works best on my face when my skin produces more oil. Otherwise, I can feel it sitting on my skin as a layer that not really ‘gels’ with my skin’s surface. Then, when I touch my face, it’ll rub and flake off easily.

Effect?

Canmake Mermaid Skin gel UV review

It leaves a ‘glowy’ finish on my skin that diminishes over the day, and is very slightly sticky to the touch, but feels weightless. I can layer foundation (either liquid, cushion or powder) over it without encountering pilling, balling up or streaking. I’ve also never had it seep into my eyes and burning.

The one thing you should keep in mind is the following: I’ve personally never had any problem with this using this one and getting sunburnt. BUT! Keep in mind that it’s actually marketed as ‘a moisturizing make-up base with UV protection’. It’s neither particularly sweat- nor waterproof, and I wouldn’t use it for a day on the beach nor for a whole day outside sightseeing in the height of summer.

I use it as a good everyday base when I’m staying mostly inside, but might venture out to for grocery shopping, which might take twenty minutes under the sun. Also, Canmake themselves say to regularly re-apply it (which may be a moot point if it’s so hot that everything sweats off your face). In those situations, choose a different sunscreen to be on the safe side.

PA++++ means the protection against UVA rays, btw. It’s the Japanese rating, going from + to ++++. The four +s mean that the PPD factor (the one that shows how long you’re protected against UVA) is 16 or higher.

Worth it?

Canmake sunscreen recommendation
Canmake Mermaid skin sunscreen review: worth it?

I love it because it’s a very, very, very light formula that has great filters, no fragrance and no alcohol.

Canmake_mermaid_skin_review
canmake mermaid skin checklist

It’s a good everyday sunscreen for me (seeing that I mostly stay at home and inside anyways). There’s of course the problem that you’ve to order it from Japan, and we’ve seen recently that supply chains can be easily interrupted. YesStyle has it intermittently for a relatively decent price. Another option would be Dokodemo, a Japanese platform that I haven’t tried personally. Amazon marketplace also carries it from time to time, but I’ve no idea how reliable the sellers are.

skincare rating

Also, get two tubes if you order, because one only has 40g. 10-12$/€ is a good price when ordering. It’s around 7€ in Japan.

Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.