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