MAC Is Launching Skin Care — Here's My Unfiltered Review

MAC Cosmetics is one of the most notable makeup brands on the market, but the company wants to make a splash in the world of skin care, too. On Jan. 3, MAC expanded its offerings with Hyper Skin, a three-piece skin-care line designed to hydrate and soften your skin — with or without makeup.

The collection includes the SkinCanvas Balm Moisturizing Cream ($49), Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum ($55), and Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil ($48). The moisturizing cream and serum are meant to be used as part of your daily regimen for hydration, while the cleansing oil is great for melting away a full face of makeup at night, leaving your skin silky soft.

I got my hands on the full Hyper Skin line ahead of the launch to try, leading me to discover my favorite from the bunch: the SkinCanvas Balm Moisturizing Cream. Ahead, I'm sharing more about why I love this new product from MAC Cosmetics, who it's best for, and my overall rating.

I'm picky when it comes to my moisturizers, but this one from MAC immediately impressed me. I have normal to dry skin, but it leans drier in the winter months (aka now). What I love most about the SkinCanvas Balm is the texture. Like the name states, it's a true cross between a balm and a cream, so it feels super thick and luxurious. However, despite its rich consistency, it doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. It also leaves behind this beautiful glassy shine.

After using this moisturizer consistently for a few weeks, my skin started to feel softer and more supple. Another big perk is how well it layers with other products. Staying true to its roots, MAC wanted the cream to to work on its own as well as underneath makeup — mission accomplished.

I use the SkinCanvas Balm two different ways, depending on my mood. The first and most obvious way is as a true moisturizer at the end of my morning skin-care routine. It layers nicely over my vitamin C serum and under my sunscreen, giving my skin a healthy glow.

The other way I use this moisturizer is as a base for makeup. Right now with the chilly temperatures outside, I find the cream keeps my skin plump and hydrated under foundation all day. I like to apply a small amount all over my face, let it sink in for a few minutes (while I drink my coffee or pick out my outfit), then apply my makeup over it. It doesn't pill or separate under any of my cream or powder products — instead, it gives me a smooth, glowy, and hydrated base to work with.

Clearly, I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone with normal to dry skin types like myself. It's worth noting, however, that the thick, creamy consistency that I love may not be the preference of others. If you have oily or acne-prone skin or you generally like lighter formulas like gel or water creams, you may find this one to be a little too rich.

You may also want to consider the price. The MAC Cosmetics SkinCanvas Balm Moisturizing Cream costs $49, so it's certainly not the most expensive moisturizer on the market but also not the cheapest. What's nice is a little bit of this cream goes a long way, so a jar should last you a while.

Rating: ★★★★★