CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV: 4 Shades vs Oil Block

Choose CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV by the finish you want, then whether oil control matters. Start with standard 01 for a colorless finish, compare 02, C01 and C03 for tint, or look separately at Oil Block if shine and makeup wear are your main concern.

I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born, Japan-licensed pharmacist working in a Japanese drugstore. These mermaid tubes look similar on the shelf. Let’s separate the shade choice from the oil-control formula so you can find one you’ll enjoy using properly.

Product information checked: October 18, 2026. This guide covers the Japanese versions.

Four standard shades, plus a separate Oil Block formula

All five are 40 g and labeled SPF50+ / PA++++. CANMAKE describes the standard range as a light, watery UV gel; Oil Block adds a focus on absorbing excess sebum and limiting shine. Texture and finish descriptions below come from the brand. How they feel and work with your makeup will vary.

01 Clear or 02 White: how much visible brightening do you want?

01 Clear: a colorless finish

Japanese shade name: ［01］透明. Start here if you want a watery sunscreen without adding a green, purple or white tone-up effect. “Clear” describes its intended finish; the gel in the tube is not transparent like water.

02 White: a paler-looking finish

Japanese shade name: ［02］ホワイト. CANMAKE positions this as its white brightening shade. If you enjoy a visibly lighter-looking base, it is an option to try. Check whether it looks natural at a proper application amount, especially if you dislike a white cast.

Both tubes look silvery blue, so check the number as well. A milky blob of 01 does not mean you accidentally bought 02. If a tint looks too pale, choose a better shade match rather than reducing your sunscreen to a tiny amount.

C01 Mint or C03 Purple: which tone do you want to soften?

C01: the look of redness and dullness

Japanese shade name: ［C01］CICAミント. Its green tint is the practical difference. CICA refers to Centella asiatica leaf extract, identified by CANMAKE as a skin-conditioning ingredient. The redness correction is a makeup effect, not treatment for inflammation or rosacea.

C03: yellow tones and dullness

Japanese shade name: ［C03］ピュアパープル. Compare this purple tint if you want to soften a yellow-looking or dull base tone. CANMAKE identifies its niacinamide as a moisturizing ingredient; its presence does not turn the product into a treatment for dark spots.

These are CANMAKE’s application illustrations, useful for seeing the direction of each tint. They are not a controlled comparison on the same face, a dose guide or a promise of your finished result. If hygienic testing is available in store, check how the finish relates to your neck as well as your hand. This is especially useful for deeper skin tones or anyone who prefers little visible brightening.

Oil Block 01: focus on sebum and makeup wear

Japanese product name: マーメイドスキンジェルUV(オイルブロック); shade ［01］クリアホワイト. It also says 01, but it is a separate product. Look for Oil Block on the tube.

The brand describes sebum-absorbing ingredients that help limit sticky-feeling shine and makeup breakdown while retaining a watery feel. If your priority is less afternoon shine, this is the formula to compare rather than simply choosing another standard shade. It cannot guarantee an oil-free face or perfect makeup all day.

CANMAKE describes Clear White as less prone to looking chalky. Its ingredient list includes ethanol, written エタノール. If you avoid ethanol, do not transfer claims about the standard formula to Oil Block; check this product’s own list and your skin’s response.

The brand says Oil Block resists makeup breakdown with sweat. The Japanese product pages checked for this guide do not establish a UV water-resistance star rating or a tested swimming duration. SPF, oil control and water resistance are different information. For swimming or a beach day, check the specific water-resistance labeling you need.

Where it fits in the morning, and how to wash it off

1. Prepare your skinThe standard range can follow face washing or your usual skincare. Oil Block’s directions say to prepare skin with lotion or similar skincare first.
2. Apply evenly, then add makeupUse an appropriate amount over the areas you need to protect. For Oil Block, spread from the center of the face outward. Both ranges can be used on face and body and as a makeup base.
3. Plan reapplication and removalStandard directions specify every 2–3 hours and after toweling. Oil Block says to reapply frequently. In the evening, account for any makeup layered over it.

These product directions say “an appropriate amount”; they do not give a product-specific full-face gram, pearl-size or finger-length measure. Do not treat the little blob in a tint illustration as your dose, or apply only to a few areas because you are using it as primer.

Soap-removal claims apply when the product is used alone. Standard is labeled for removal with soap or face wash; Oil Block also names body wash. The brand-linked store’s directions go further: use makeup cleanser when makeup is layered over it, and wash thoroughly.

Oil Block’s cautions also note that excessive application or strong rubbing can cause pilling. Avoid repeated vigorous rubbing and check how your skincare and base makeup work together. Cutting sunscreen down to an inadequate amount is not a good fix.

Buying or repurchasing in Japan: check more than the mermaid

• Standard product: look for マーメイドスキンジェルUV, then 01 / 02 / C01 / C03 and 40 g.
• Oil-control product: look for the extra オイルブロック / Oil Block wording, 01 Clear White and 40 g. The current Japanese website lists it as a separate product. Individual store stock needs a separate check.
• Check the formula on your purchase: the official page currently carries both current and “old” ingredient lists for 01, 02 and C03. An earlier purchase is not proof that today’s tube has the identical formula. A precise changeover date or old-stock availability is not established here.

Regional names, labels and product ranges can differ. Use the Japanese name and shade code when shopping for the version in this guide. C02 listings on older shopping pages have not been added to this current Japanese comparison.

If your skin feels uncomfortable, pause

If you know an ingredient does not suit you, check the complete list for the exact product and shade. CICA, fragrance-free wording or a refreshing texture cannot guarantee that nobody will react.

Standard 01’s cautions say not to use it on wounds, swelling or eczema. Stop if redness, swelling, itching, irritation, loss of pigment or darkening appears, and consult a dermatologist or the manufacturer. Oil Block also says to watch for skin problems and stop if the product does not suit you. Oil Block specifically warns against eye contact; rinse immediately with water or lukewarm water if it gets in your eyes. Read the full cautions on the tube you buy.

Want a different texture or tint?

For watery gel, soufflé-like cream and moisturizing cream choices, plus differences in water-resistance labeling, see my Bioré UV three-product comparison. For rosy or natural beige daytime-emulsion finishes, see ELIXIR Tone Up Pink vs Beige. Here, the useful first step is simply finding the right CANMAKE shade or the separate Oil Block tube.