Matsuyama M-mark Amino Acid Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 20 PA++
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
MoisturizingSimmondsia chinensis seed oil, Glycerin + 19 moreWorks
“Prevents sunburn and discoloration ,reckles caused by sunburn while protecting the skin from dryness.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
alanine, arginine.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
Evens skin toneAlanineNot delivered
“Prevents sunburn and discoloration ,reckles caused by sunburn while protecting the skin from dryness.”
This product contains ingredients (alanine) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Serine, Threonine + 1 moreMay help
This product contains serine, threonine. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilButylene glycol~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolIsopropyl isostearate~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearateTitanium dioxide~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideGlycerin~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinBetaine~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about Betaine1,2-hexanediol~0.9–1.1%
Pentylene glycol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAluminum hydroxide~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideStearic acid~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSerine~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about SerineAlanine~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineGlycine~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineThreonine~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about ThreonineLysine hcl~0.5–0.75%
Arginine~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineGlutamic acid~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidProline~0.45–0.7%
Pca~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about PcaSodium pca~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSodium lactate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateLauroyl lysine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineBehenyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidHydrogenated lecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinPolyglyceryl-10 pentastearate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium myristate~0.2–0.35%
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateTocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolXanthan gum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Water, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Butylene glycol, Isopropyl isostearate, Titanium dioxide, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-hexanediol, Pentylene glycol, Aluminum hydroxide, Stearic acid, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Threonine, Lysine hcl, Arginine, Glutamic acid, Proline, Pca, Sodium pca, Sodium lactate, Lauroyl lysine, Behenyl alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, Potassium myristate, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| MatsuyamaM-mark Amino Acid Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 20 PA++YOUR PRODUCT | Ultra VioletteFave Screen SPF 50 Lightweight Milky Face Sunscreen with Bemotrizinol | CliniqueEven Better Brightening Cushion Compact SPF 33/PA+++ | MANAVISUV Milk SPF 40 PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 33% | 30% | 30% |
| Price | — | $39.00 | $42.71 | $16.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 14 | 3 of 14 | 2 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 33 | SPF 40 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SKIN&LAB Barrierderm Think Family SunscreenBabyganics Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50+
Product summary
"Matsuyama - M-mark Amino Acid Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 20 PA++" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 15.20$ up to 20.20$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
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