マット肌

• Reading: マットはだ
• Romaji: matto hada
• Kanji breakdown: マット (from English 'matte') + 肌 (skin) → matte-finish skin
• Pronunciation: /mat.to ha.da/

Meaning

Matte skin finish; a shine-free, velvety smooth complexion with no visible glow.

マット肌 describes a makeup finish that is smooth, poreless-looking, and completely free of shine. It was the dominant Japanese beauty trend through the 2000s-early 2010s before ツヤ肌 took over. The look is achieved with powder foundations, setting powders, and mattifying primers. While less trendy than ツヤ肌 currently, many people prefer it for its longevity and polished appearance, especially in professional or humid environments.

Examples

1. 夏はマット肌のほうが崩れにくいよ。 Matte skin holds up better in the summer without melting off.
2. マット肌にしたいときはパウダーファンデがおすすめ。 When you want a matte finish, powder foundation is the way to go.
3. 最近ツヤ肌ブームだけど、私はマット肌派。 Dewy skin is trendy right now, but I'm team matte.

Usage Guide

Context: beauty, makeup, cosmetics shopping

Tone: descriptive, technical

Do Say

• マット肌仕上げでお願いします。 (Matte finish please.)
• マット肌のほうがフォーマルに見えるよね。 (Matte skin looks more formal, don't you think?)

Don't Say

• 「マット肌って古くない？」はマット派に失礼 (Saying 'isn't matte skin outdated?' is rude to people who prefer it — it's a valid style choice)

Common Mistakes

• Thinking マット肌 means caked-on or heavy — a well-done matte finish should look smooth and natural, just without shine

Origin & History

From English 'matte' + 肌 (skin). The term has been standard in Japanese beauty vocabulary since the widespread adoption of Western makeup terminology. Matte finishes were especially popular in the 2000s.

Cultural Context

Era: 2000s peak, still widely used

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal in beauty contexts

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Particularly preferred in business and formal settings. Remains popular in hot/humid climates for its longevity.