Thread: Proraso Soap and Insect Attraction

Morning all.

I'm picking up stumps and moving to South East Asia for about 18 months and need some advice.

I'm going to travel through Cambodia and then Vietnam, where I'll live and work in Ha Noi for little over a year.

Obviously, one concern to travelers to Cambodia/'nam is Malaria as there's no real long term avoidance of this except good mosquito protection like having an effective mosquito net and proper use of DEET. Wearing perfumes is a great way to tell mosquitoes where you are and just how tasty you really are.

I'll sadly leave my Col Conk amber at home for this reason, and I'll be looking for good perfumeless solution.
I've heard Prorazo shave cream and the aftercare doesn't attract them, and the menthol actually helps to repel them.

Has anyone had any experience with this, or know if this is true?

If not, what good quality shave soap would you recommend to someone traveling to S.E.A.
Thanks!

After spending a number of years in the military I have found that eating something rich in B vitamins daily will repel mosquitos, I used to take a loaf of whole wheat bread as well as B complex vitamins into the field with me so that I would have access to B vitamin complex. It will come out in your sweat and act as a natural repellent. Be sure to get inoculated, the mosquitos in 'nam will eat you alive as my cousins and uncles will verify, I served in Korea where there are rice paddies as well and at evening time you could see the gray clouds of mosquitos rise up from the paddies. God bless and good luck.

Unless my nose is broken, Col Conks Amber has no discernible scent!
I would assume that would be tops on your list!

Originally Posted by JMS

Unless my nose is broken, Col Conks Amber has no discernible scent!
I would assume that would be tops on your list!

The only person who's knocked the sublime scent of Col Conk Amber, while near me is still in hospital.
-"Col Conk Amber has no smell"

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

After spending a number of years in the military I have found that eating something rich in B vitamins daily will repel mosquitos,

If that really works, then you should take a jar of Marmite with you. Very rich in B and thiamin.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

After spending a number of years in the military I have found that eating something rich in B vitamins daily will repel mosquitos, I used to take a loaf of whole wheat bread as well as B complex vitamins into the field with me so that I would have access to B vitamin complex. It will come out in your sweat and act as a natural repellent. Be sure to get inoculated, the mosquitos in 'nam will eat you alive as my cousins and uncles will verify, I served in Korea where there are rice paddies as well and at evening time you could see the gray clouds of mosquitos rise up from the paddies. God bless and good luck.

AMEN! I too used this technique. I grew up in Minnesota where the mosquito is the state bird. I found vitamin B complex very effective in Minnesota and when I was in the Army. When guys in my unit were swimming in DEET and still getting bites, I hardly used any spray and did not have a problem.

Hi,
I appreciate the info on vitamins. I already plan to take Vegemite with me, and I'm taking vitamins there, as well as trying to eat a healthy diet.
My question is though, as perfumes are a no-go, especially in high risk malaria areas, has anyone heard of, or experienced Proraso having any repellent effects due to the Menthol?
Thanks again!
Sam

Proraso does have a scent, it's sort of minty. There are a few different companies that make unscented creams; if I'm not mistaken, you can get them from AOS, C&E, and others.

Proraso contains a number of ingredients claimed to be effective in masking the mosquito’s ability to identify you as a blood host.
Camphor, eucalyptus, and as you mentioned menthol, are all credited mosquito masks.
However Proraso also contains three fragrances Amyl Cinnamal, Eugenol, Geraniol
Now the jury is out on how the mosquito’s feel about these fragrances.

Oil of eucalyptus is more than a mask btw, it is a direct application pesticide, much like DEET, and structurally similar to menthol plus it is non-toxic (keep out of eyes though)
DEET, Permethrin, and picardin are volatile chemicals that are very effective in deterring mosquitos.
So hit your gear-but careful with the netting- I've had some oils melt the mosquito nets-ack!

Good luck

Thanks for the replies. I thought I'd post something now that I've been here for about 6 weeks.

Proraso hasn't attracted a single mosquito that I can tell. The mossies were pretty bad in Cambodia but in HCMC (Vietnam) they're pretty scarce.

Anyway, +1 for the Proraso menthol goodness for not attracting mosquitoes.

Sambo