Exa Jump Start Smoothing Primer Review

I tried the Exa's clean Jumpstart Smoothing Primer. Here is my honest review.

To be honest, I'm not huge into primers. I don't like the feeling of too much makeup on my face, which is why I don't often wear even foundation. But I'll put on a primer underneath my foundation once a week or so, especially if I need a little extra smoothing help. I received a sample of and tried out Exa Jumpstart Smoothing Primer, a clean primer made by the Credo Beauty family of brands. Read on for my full, honest review.

Why You Need a Clean Primer

If you've ever wanted makeup that goes on smoother and stays on longer, primer could be your answer. Primer is a product used under foundation and/or eyeshadow that helps blur pores, smooth any unwanted texture issues, and even correct discoloration. It also helps makeup stay put longer and can combat excessively oily skin.

Some primers contain harsh and potentially dangerous ingredients like:

• Silicones - Frequently used to make products glide on more easily, these chemicals could potentially be hormone disruptors, impair fertility, and harm the nervous and immune systems at high doses.¹ Since they bioaccumulate easily, this is more concerning with products you use every day. They can also be irritating to skin, which is the opposite effect we're going for in a primer!
• Parabens - Commonly used in many personal care products and easily absorbed by the body, parabens are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)² linked to breast cancer, thyroid problems, obesity, reproductive problems in both males and females³, and early onset of puberty in girls.⁴
• Mineral oil - A petroleum-based oil that can clog pores and trap dirt and bacteria, causing breakouts.
• "Fragrance" - The term 'fragrance' can mean any combination of chemicals that could cause harm to health, including allergies, skin irritation, and potentially even reproductive harm.⁵

Not what you want as your first layer of makeup that will soak into your skin! Since primer goes on all over your face and you'll be wearing it all day, it's best to look for a safer, more natural product that is free from harsh additives and nourishes your skin with healthier, skincare-like ingredients.

Meet the Product: Exa Jump Start Smoothing Primer

What It Is: A silky blurring primer that creates a semi-matte effect on skin before applying foundation.

What It Claims: "This ultra-silky primer visibly blurs and smooths skin to create an ideal canvas for your complexion products—and grips makeup just like that. Infused with antioxidants and vitamins, this primer helps support your best skin ever with each use." - Exa website

Overall Impressions

After using an entire mini size of Exa's Jump Start primer, I don't have anything particularly negative to say about it. In fact, I don't have much to say about it at all. Words that come to mind are adequate, just fine, forgettable. It did the job but just isn't my favorite or particularly memorable. But I do think it gets the job done, so if you're looking to try a clean primer at a decent price point, this could be an option for you, but it's not necessarily something that's a must-buy for me.

Buy It: Exa Jump Start Smoothing Primer

(Or try it from Credo beauty with my link for $25 off!)

1. The Dirty Dozen: Siloxanes ↩︎
2. Paraben Esters: Review of Recent Studies of Endocrine Toxicity, Absorption, Esterase and Human Exposure, and Discussion of Potential Human Health Risks ↩︎
3. Parabens and Their Effects on the Endocrine System ↩︎
4. Association of Phthalates, Parabens and Phenols Found in Personal Care Products with Pubertal Timing in Girls and Boys  ↩︎
5. EWG: Fragrance ↩︎