Cargo Activating Primer Update ~ Review Part 2

If any of you can remember I did a post about a month ago on the Cargo Activating Face primer which as a silicone-free option I was interested in trying. Other than it's claims to instantly reduce the look of pores, it was supposed to have longer term benefits from continued usage. The Cargo company says that their special mix of Aqua Maris (Sea Water), and natural botanical extracts will have you see in thirty days reduced pore size and reduced oiliness. So, for the past month I've been putting this primer to the test, using it whenever I put on foundation (which varies but is about 5 days of the week). Here's what I noticed.

Firstly there was not a reduction in oil production. In fact I feel like I am oilier with this primer than without frankly. This is quite disappointing, as I am very oily. On the other hand, even with my increased oil (in my opinion) I didn't breakout with this. If anything I think my acne has improved a little since I began using it. This may just have been a fluke though as I've been juggling around skin care and recently started a new medication so I'm not saying this is the answer to acne woes by any means.

On the pore refining front however, I do think it has helped. Not by a large amount by any means, but I haven't noticed my large pores as often and when I really look my pores they do seem softer somehow. But don't take my word for it, take a look at the before and after pictures!

Before applying primer for thirty days

After applying primer for thirty days

I know the redness is different (and I apologize for the difference in colouration in my skin- I honestly have no idea how I managed to change colour between the two photographs), but I do think my pores are a bit smaller. Of course this might just be wishful thinking (let me know your opinion). For your information both pictures were taken in the same place and are of the same cheek in the morning (so approx. the same lighting). The light is from the window and both photos show the cheek with my murad acne gel treatment on the skin but nothing else. 

Taking into account my initial review and these longer term claims, I'm going to change my rating of the product. Till next time!

Final Sprite Rating: 7/10 - lost points for not living up to the oil reduction and blurring claim. Other than that not a bad primer.

Cargo Activating Primer- Review

I've got another primer review for you all from the hunt to find the perfect non-comedogenic primer for my skin. Introducing the Cargo blu_ray Activating Face Primer. 

This primer is fairly new on the market and retails for $32 CND (or $28 CND on theshoppingchannel.com, where I got it with free shipping. Yay free shipping!) Cargo claims that this primer helps with foundation application, blurs pores and imperfections and mattifies. It is oil, wax, talc, fragrance, paraben and silicone free and they also state that within 30 days it will reduce shine and refine pores too. They mention something about preventing pore calcification, but honestly since I've never even heard about calcification of pores before I can't judge on this factor.

In 30 days I'll be updating about how it worked on the longer term factors but onto the primers capabilities.

When I first got this I was surprised by how small it was. I've got small hands and as you can see it doesn't measure up to my hand in length (nor width either, it's only about two finger widths wide). Though it does hold a full ounce of product. The packaging looks nice and sleek with a shiny black squeeze tube that works wonderfully to dispense the exact amount of product you need. 

The product itself? It doesn't really mattify much. After a days wear I'm still just as oily at the end of the day, possibly even a bit oiler than normal. It also doesn't do much in the way of blurring imperfections and pores. Though it does sink into the skin well, and allows foundation to glide on like a dream, I don't see too much of a difference in the blurring of pores. It dries quickly and though I've applied multiple layers it doesn't seem to help too much. Though, because foundation goes on better, it looks smoother on which does help blur my pores a bit but I think that's more an asset of my foundation than the primer being unique in this aspect. Here's a before and after primer comparison.

Before Applying Cargo Activating Primer,

 After applying my Murad Acne treatment

After applying Cargo Activating Primer

As you can see my pores are still highly visible (especially scary up close like this!) and shine is maybe a little dampened (which may just be how the light hit my cheekbone at that moment). But it's better than nothing, and it really does help my foundation apply smoother as it's less likely to highlight drier spots and brush strokes. 

Here's another comparison on my hand before and after:

After

Before

I think the slight lines are a little more blurred here, but it's not enough to say a definite yes or no to- I may just be imagining it. Both sets of comparison shots were not touched up other than to make them a bit brighter and the lighting was the same (Or at least I tried to keep it the same natural light angle- the sun didn't exactly cooperate) for both before and after pictures. As you can see from the second picture the primer is a milky gel that goes transparent when spread out. 

I'll have an update in 30 days to see if the primer's other claims hold true. If it does that then the lack of blurring of pores and matting ability with the immediate application of the primer would be made up for. For now though if you only want a primer for it's help in foundation application and possible good skin effects this will work, but I don't recommend it. I think there are better primers out there, like the Nars Primer I reviewed before. Though this primer has no scent and the Nars one had a slight one, the Nars I thought blurred pores better and is a better value for money.

Overall Rating: 6/10 It does blur pores a very small amount and I've had no adverse reactions. It also allows foundation to apply particularly well but I'd like better oil control and more imperfection hiding capabilities.

EDIT: See the second half of this review HERE!