This post contains affiliate links. Products provided by YesStyle.
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV might be the best known Japanese sunscreen. At least it seemed so to me, based on how many times I saw it recommended in my Facebook group. Naturally, I had to try it. The sunscreen comes in two varieties - 01 Clear and 02 White, available on YesStyle (reward code KBHOBBIT), Stylevana, and Amazon. While Clear is the popular one, I decided to try both and see how they compare.
Both varieties are advertised as being easy to apply and suitable for all skin types. The brand even says it could be your only skincare step after cleansing.
How to use
Apply right after cleansing or after other skincare steps
Gently spread over the face and neck
Reapply every two hours or as needed
As promised, the Clear goes on totally clear and has no white cast, at least on me. The finish is rather dewy, which isn’t my favorite. A little dusting of translucent powder mostly fixes that, but I still would have preferred a more matte look.
Clear on hand (no white cast once applied):
The White is supposed to “showcase your fairness”, which I thought could be the Japanese version of Korean “tone up” - products that can make the skin appear more even. However, it straight up whites me out and makes me super shiny. My husband said I look like a yellow billiard ball… Lovely, exactly the look I was going for! Neither feel sticky or greasy, but the White looks greasy because of the shine. And the Clear can get super dewy to the point of looking oily as well.
Neither of these sting my eyes or cause any irritation.
My impressions
The tubes are small (41g / under 2oz), and yet I struggled finishing them. The clear was too shiny for me, and even adding powder on top wasn’t always enough. The white is simply horrible. I’m still not totally done with the tube; I try to use it when I’m home, but it makes me look so weirdly pale and oily that I can hardly stomach it. It’s not expired yet / not past its “period after opening”, so I do hope to use it up, but it’s a struggle.
I’ll admit that being fair skinned is somewhat a privilege when it comes to sunscreen shopping - I can get away with using a lot of formulas that may leave a white cast on deeper tones. And maybe that’s why I’m extra spoiled / picky. I can see how someone who struggles finding a suitable sunscreen without any cast would love the 01 Clear version. And many people enjoy a dewy look, so it could be a double whammy for them. I still wish the tubes were bigger for the price, because realistically with frequent reapplication this wouldn’t last long at all. If you’d like to see some other sunscreen suggestions, check out this post (must be part of the Facebook group to view).
Have you tried these? What did you think?
Want more content? Find me on YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and in my private Facebook group. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email. And read this post for my favorite shops and discount codes or check out my Amazon favorites.
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++ ingredients: Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BG, 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 Ester, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Glucan, Phytic Acid, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Adlay Seed Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Seed Extract, Silver Oxide, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Bilberry Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract