Thread: Proraso "Green Tub" Shaving Soap

Proraso Sapone da Barba "Ciotola Verde"
(Proraso "Green Tub" Shaving Soap)

Producer: Ludovico Martelli, Florence, Italy

Type: Shaving Soap.

INCI (List of Ingredients): Aqua, Stearic Acid, Cocos nucifera, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sodium Lauril Sulfate, Eucalyptus Globulus, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Eugenol, Geraniol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Eucalyptol, Boric Acid, Camphor, PEG-150 Distearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Borate, BHT

A lots of ingredients in this soap and, in my opinion, many of them are of disputable quality for a shaving soap, in particular Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Boric Acid, Camphor, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Borate, BHT and, to a lesser extent, Amyl Cinnamal and Hydroxyethylcellulose. Also "parfum" is not better specified and therefore of unknown origin, Score: 6

Pakage: Green plastic tub, very handy and functional, Score: 9

Quantity: 150ml (5.2oz)

Smell: Menthol and eucalyptus, it could be said "Proraso" mark, not very strong or excessive, Score: 8

Lather: It makes a fairly abundant quantity of lather with a moderate quantity of water, however creamy and pretty fat, with tiny bubbles with some bubbles of larger size, pretty good water retention, Score: 8

Shaving: It gives a mild refreshing sensation to the skin and the razor can easily slide, however I noticed some spots of dryness and minor signs of irritation, Score: 7

Conclusion: This soap has a very good reputation in Italy and, as far as I can tell, in many countries of the world. This is probably the shaving soap every Italian wet shaver has used at least once in his life and it certainly is the best selling soap in Italy. Not the very best soap in my opinion, although its very low price can be right for its quality, but the fact it leaves some minor irritations on the skin, the tendency to easily get dried and the presence of some ingredients not agreed by many (including me, of course) are, in my opinion, serious faults. A soap loved by many but, in my opinion, Italy has better soaps to offer to wet shavers, Score: 6

Unlike the Proraso "Green" shaving cream, the shaving soap lather tends to dry-out on my face, and requires re-hydration (i.e., later face, shave right cheek, re-lather left cheek due to dryness, etc.)

But the aroma, and the feel on my face! Regardless of the season or the temperature, I love it.

Was wondering if this is the old formula Proraso as it contains Propylene Glycol and various Parabens? I had heard that Parabens were banned now. I have a new formula Proraso red tub and the list of ingredients shows no Parabens or Propylene Glycol.

Bob

Another very helpful review, razorguy!

The C.O. Bigelow website lists the ingredients. I looked at the soap and cream(Proraso green tube, Proraso green tub, Bigelow labeled tube) and they do not list Propylene Glycol nor parabens.
The ingredient list for my Bigelow tube matches the ingredients in razorguy's review. My tube was given to me by a friend so I don't know when it was purchased. Judging by the dust on the box I am guessing it was not a recent purchase.

Very nice review razor guy. If the picture is a picture of his tube then yes it is the old formula. The new formula has new packing that has white and green barber strips through the name.

I would rate this slightly higher then razor guy probably a 7.5. It is one of my go to soaps and actually the one I go to when I already have some irritation as it helps calm it and I almost never have irritation after using it.

I haven't had the drying issue that you mention. However I use a lot of the Italian soft soaps and found them to all be water hogs so I use a lot of water and make a very wet lather.

Well I have to agree that though Proraso isn't the best soap in the world it is very easy to work into a lather (I daresay one of the easiest) and I can't say I've had problems with dryness. IMO it's a shave den staple, good without being fantastic, one of the top "cheap" soaps out there.

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. The tub of this review has been bought about three months ago while I was traveling and was in need of a quick shave. In Italy Proraso is available at any shop and I knew I would have bought that. It can be it was an old stock. However I will buy another tub soon and post a new review.
Since the day I started shaving, Proraso green tub has always been part of my shave den, although I found out, about ten years ago, that is when I started using straight razors, it is not my favorite soap.
Like all Italian soaps, it needs quite a lot of water and, in my opinion, this is very good for any soap. After all, we are talking about wet shaving and water is everything.

razorguy, have you reviewed what your favourite soaps/creams actually are?

i'd like to see what you think the best performers are

Originally Posted by bombay

razorguy, have you reviewed what your favourite soaps/creams actually are?

i'd like to see what you think the best performers are

Among the soaps/creams I reviewed I consider to be very good the ones made by Valobra, Geo F. Trumper and Truefitt. However I still have many more to review and, yes, including my very best which is Elberel P.160, a soap which is unfortunately not being produced anymore, that's why I am keeping from reviewing it.

Hi Razorguy,

it's great to see such an old classic reviewed again. I've always regarded Proraso as the standard by which other shaving creams and soaps should be judged. Just whip up that lather and get a load of the aroma: you're back in old Napoli as Dean Martin used to sing
In Australia we've recently been treated to the new parabens-free Proraso -still the same smell and certainly the same lathering properties. Here are some pictures of the new packs.