Proraso Shaving Cream Review: The Italian Classic Tested

My grandfather handed me my first tube of Proraso when I was sixteen. “If it’s good enough for Italian barbers,” he said, “it’s good enough for us.” Twenty-three years and roughly three hundred razors later, I still keep a tube in my rotation. That should tell you something.

Proraso isn’t exotic. It won’t make you feel like you’re shaving in a Moroccan hammam or a gentleman’s club in Mayfair. What it will do is give you a damn good shave for about eight dollars. In an era where shaving creams can cost more than a decent bottle of wine, that matters.

The Proraso Lineup: More Than Just Green

Most people know Proraso for the iconic green tube—the one with eucalyptus and menthol that’s been cooling faces since 1948. But the Italian brand has expanded significantly over the years:

• Green (Refreshing): Eucalyptus and menthol. The classic. The legend.
• White (Sensitive): Green tea and oatmeal. For those whose skin throws a tantrum at the slightest provocation.
• Red (Nourishing): Sandalwood and shea butter. Their “premium” offering.
• Blue (Protective): Aloe and vitamin E. The newest addition, marketed for coarse beards.

Each variant comes in both tubes and bowls, plus they offer pre-shave creams in matching scents. I’ve tested them all. Some more than others.

Proraso Green: The Benchmark

Let’s start with what made the brand famous. The green tube is what I reach for on those mornings when I need my face to wake up before my brain does. That menthol hit isn’t subtle—it’s a deliberate, cooling sensation that some love and others find overwhelming.

Lather Quality

Proraso Green loads fast. Almost too fast if you’re not paying attention. With a damp badger brush, I can get a usable lather in about fifteen seconds. Thirty seconds gets you peak performance—thick, glossy, with that satisfying sheen that tells you it’s got enough slickness to protect your face.

The water ratio is forgiving. I’ve built successful lathers everywhere from Seattle tap water (practically distilled) to the liquid limestone that comes out of Texas faucets. Add water gradually, and you’ll be fine. Add too much at once, and you’ll have foam instead of lather—recoverable, but annoying.

Performance

The slickness is exactly what you’d expect from a cream that’s survived seventy-plus years of Italian barbers. Not the absolute best I’ve used, but solidly in the upper tier. Three passes with a moderately aggressive razor, zero irritation. The menthol provides a numbing effect that some interpret as extra protection—it’s not, but the psychological benefit is real.

Post-shave feel is where Green shows its age. It’s adequate. Not moisturizing, not drying, just… there. You’ll want a good aftershave or balm, which you should be using anyway.

The Scent

Eucalyptus and menthol. Medicinal. Clinical. Some call it “classic barbershop,” but let’s be honest—it smells like you’re about to get a chest rub for a cold. I happen to like it. My wife tolerates it. Your mileage may vary.

Proraso White: For the Sensitive Souls

If the Green makes your face feel like you’ve rubbed it with an ice cube wrapped in eucalyptus leaves, White is your alternative. No menthol, no eucalyptus, no drama.

The lather builds similarly to Green—fast, forgiving, reliable. The slickness is marginally better, though I suspect that’s because there’s no menthol distracting you from the actual performance. The scent is barely there—a whisper of tea and oat that disappears within minutes.

I used White exclusively for six months after a bout of winter dryness made my face rebel against everything else. It did its job without complaint. That’s about the highest compliment I can give a sensitive skin product—it’s boring in the best possible way.

Proraso Red: When They Tried to Go Premium

Red costs about three dollars more than Green. For that premium, you get sandalwood scent, shea butter, and… honestly, not much else that I can detect.

The sandalwood is pleasant—warm, woody, grown-up. Better than Green’s medicinal vibe, though not as complex as dedicated sandalwood creams from brands like Taylor of Old Bond Street. The lather builds the same way. The performance is the same. The post-shave is marginally better, but we’re talking about differences you need to actively look for.

Is Red worth the extra money? If you like sandalwood and you’re already buying Proraso, sure. If you’re on a budget or you don’t care about scent, stick with Green or White.

The Blue Elephant in the Room

Blue is Proraso’s attempt to compete in the “coarse beard” market. It has aloe and vitamin E. It performs… like all the other Proraso creams. Because here’s the thing: lather doesn’t care about your beard texture. Your razor choice, your prep, and your technique matter infinitely more.

Blue is fine. It’s not special. If you see it on sale, buy it. If not, you’re not missing anything.

Lather Testing: The Technical Breakdown

I spent a week building Proraso lathers under controlled conditions—same brush (Simpson Duke 2 badger), same bowl (Captain’s Choice copper), same water source, measured amounts.

Loading time for optimal lather: 25-30 seconds with moderate pressure
Water ratio: Approximately 1:1 cream to water by volume (very forgiving)
Peak lather timing: 45-60 seconds of building after loading
Lather longevity: 15-20 minutes before noticeable degradation

Compared to triple-milled soaps like Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Proraso is easier and faster. Compared to artisan creams, it’s less impressive but more consistent. It’s the Toyota Camry of shaving creams—not exciting, but you know exactly what you’re getting.

Performance vs. Price: The Real Question

A 150ml tube of Proraso costs between $8-12 depending on where you buy it. That tube will last me approximately four months with daily use. That’s roughly $2.50 per month for shaving cream.

For comparison:

• Taylor of Old Bond Street: $15-20 per tub, marginally better performance
• Artisan creams (Barrister and Mann, Declaration Grooming): $20-30, noticeably better performance and scents
• Arko shaving stick: $3-5, similar performance but divisive scent
• Canned foam: $3-5, not even in the same category

The value proposition is clear. Proraso delivers 80% of the performance of creams that cost three times as much. For beginners, that’s perfect. For veterans, it’s a reliable backup that doesn’t break the bank.

Who Should Buy Proraso?

Proraso is excellent for:

• Beginners who want to try traditional shaving without a huge investment
• Daily shavers who value reliability over luxury
• Travel (tube format is TSA-friendly)
• People with hard water (lathers easily in nearly any water)
• Anyone on a budget who still wants quality results

You should probably look elsewhere if:

• You’re a scent enthusiast who wants complex, long-lasting fragrances
• You have extremely dry skin and need maximum post-shave moisturization
• You’re looking for a luxury experience (Proraso is determinedly utilitarian)
• You’re sensitive to menthol/eucalyptus and want more variety (even White has a faint cooling effect for some people)

The Competition: How It Stacks Up

Against Taylor of Old Bond Street: TOBS has better scents and marginally better slickness. Proraso is easier to lather and cheaper. Pick based on whether you prioritize performance (TOBS) or value (Proraso).

Against Arko: Arko is cheaper and lathers beautifully, but smells like urinal cakes to many people (not me, but I respect the complaints). Proraso is more universally acceptable.

Against canned foam like Barbasol: Not even close. If you’re still using canned foam, buy Proraso Green right now. Your face will thank you.

Thomas’s Verdict: Which One Do I Actually Use?

Honestly? I rotate. Green when I want that wake-up call. White when my face needs a break. Red when I want to smell like a grown-up instead of a cold remedy.

But if I could only keep one tube in my den for the rest of my life? Proraso Green. It’s the devil I know, the standard I measure others against, and the tube that connects me to that sixteen-year-old kid learning to shave with his grandfather’s guidance.

It’s not perfect. It’s not luxurious. It’s not going to revolutionize your shaving routine. But it’s going to give you a good shave, day after day, for less money than you’d spend on coffee. In a hobby that can spiral into collecting hundreds of dollars of soap and cream, that’s worth something.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a tube of Proraso last?

With daily use, a 150ml tube lasts me about four months. An almond-sized amount is plenty for a full three-pass shave. If you’re going through a tube faster than that, you’re using too much.

Do I need the pre-shave cream?

No. I’ve tested with and without for years. The pre-shave adds a slight amount of extra slickness, but proper lather from the cream alone is sufficient. Save your money unless you have exceptionally tough beard growth or sensitive skin.

Can I use Proraso with a cartridge razor?

You can, but you’re missing the point. Proraso is designed for traditional wet shaving with a safety razor or straight razor. If you’re still using cartridges, consider upgrading your hardware before upgrading your cream.

Is the bowl better than the tube?

Performance is identical. The bowl is more traditional if you load directly from it. The tube is more convenient and travel-friendly. I own both Green variants; the tube gets 90% of the use.

Does Proraso expire?

Officially, yes—there’s usually a 12-month shelf life after opening. Realistically, I’ve used tubes that were two years old with no noticeable degradation. If it smells off or the texture changes, toss it. Otherwise, you’re probably fine.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support my testing and reviews. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and genuinely believe in. My grandfather would’ve smacked me for recommending garbage just for a commission.