Thread: Proraso Advice/Help

As to be expected, having only about 6 months of experience at this point, I have my good shaves and my bad shaves. Today's was a solid B+...but the couple before that were probably more like a C+. I hoped to find some sort of common ground between the bad ones, and what keeps popping up is Proraso. It seems that lately, whenever I have a less-than-ideal shave, I'm using either Proraso soap (green tub) or Bigelow cream. Today I used Taylor's and it was great...the only thing that kept me from having a fantastic shave is my still-not-great stropping technique and my continual struggles with blade pressure. I'm getting much better with it...

The Proraso products have been leaving my skin dry and irritated...a pass with an alum block post-proraso is awful. That said, I jsut did a pass with the alum after Taylor's and I only have a mild burn in 2 specific spots.

So obviously I'm doing something wrong with the Proraso. i've tried more water, less water, less cream, more cream (or soap), but I'm still having issues. FWIW, I have an easier time with the soap than the cream.

Should I be trying to adjust my technique for the Proraso? Am I using the Proraso less than ideally? My thought is that I'm not getting a good mix of cream/soap and water, but I wanted to know what you guys suggested. How do I get a nice slick proraso lather?

chances are its not your technique. Usually if a soap or cream is leaving your face dried out its because the ingredients in it don't agree with your skin type. You mentioned you played around with soap/water ratios, so to me. you have already solved the problem. Loose the proraso. try out some MWF! you can pick up a puck on ebay for a few bucks more than proraso!

Proraso products are generally held in fair regard, certainly considered by most on this forum to be an acceptable product. It is not my favorite, but I can get a good shave with either the soap or the cream. I prefer their cream. I have never had a bad shave with Proraso.

Just a quick suggestion. Make sure you soak your brush in warm water while you shower. Shake a little water from the brush, not too much. Then really work the brush on the soap for 20-30 seconds to load the brush. Take a lather bowl, add a few drops of glycerin (optional) and vigorously stir up some uberlather. Add drops of hot water to the bowl as needed. This may take a minute or two. The result should be about the best Proraso soaped shaving cream you can get. Enjoy your shave.

I'd be willing to give Glycerine a try, because I have quite a bit of this stuff and I don't want it to go to waste.

When I say it's leaving my skin dry and irritated, I don't think that's the proper description. I think it's more accurate to say that it's not giving me enough cushion and glide to protect my face from the blade. That in turn makes me feel dry and irritated. The lather itself actually feels quite good on my face and easy areas like my cheeks feel great afterwards. So it makes me think that it's not the cream or soap itself, but me. It's the problem areas (neck mostly) that I feel the irritation. I paid a lot of attention to the consistency of my TOBS lather, and I think maybe my Proraso lather is too airy. Does that mean I should whip it longer? That's one thing I didn't try...

Could it be a skin response to eucalyptus or menthol?

Originally Posted by Moosiker

Could it be a skin response to eucalyptus or menthol?

It's possible. But, it's not a whole-face issue. I notice it in areas that I struggle with, like spots on my neck with the hair grows in a whirlpool pattern. It's like it's not protecting my sensitive areas enough and the razor ends up being too rough to the skin. That makes me think it's not the ingredients...I could be wrong.

Have you tried Proraso's Sensitive skin cream? The one in the white jar?

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

I'd be willing to give Glycerine a try, because I have quite a bit of this stuff and I don't want it to go to waste.

When I say it's leaving my skin dry and irritated, I don't think that's the proper description. I think it's more accurate to say that it's not giving me enough cushion and glide to protect my face from the blade. That in turn makes me feel dry and irritated. The lather itself actually feels quite good on my face and easy areas like my cheeks feel great afterwards. So it makes me think that it's not the cream or soap itself, but me. It's the problem areas (neck mostly) that I feel the irritation. I paid a lot of attention to the consistency of my TOBS lather, and I think maybe my Proraso lather is too airy. Does that mean I should whip it longer? That's one thing I didn't try...

Nice, I think you will have a better experience. Here is one more secret that I use.

Wet face with warm water and just before you put on your freshly prepared lather squirt a half dollar of that glycerin in your palm and apply directly to your face. Glycerin is water soluble and will blend in without being oily. It will offer you an added layer of protection for each pass. Enjoy.

In regards to the actually performance (i.e. glide, cushion, etc), I find C O Bigalow beyond reproach. I do find I need to concentrate a little more when lathering Proraso in the green tub. I find Proraso excellent when I make an Überlather, most often with Crabtree and Evelyn Nomad. If you feel you lack protection from the blade, I'd say that was an issue with cushion. I'd say too little cushion is related to too much water. However, if you use too little water the lather will be dry and firm and the razor will stick. It's actually a very, very fine line, as you probably know. Some top end creams (like Taylor's, Truefitt and Hill, etc) are very forgiving, more so I find than many soaps. When I was starting out SR shaving, I'd actually sometimes practice making a lather without shaving if I'd already shaved.

Hope this helps...

Originally Posted by Gammaray

Proraso products are generally held in fair regard, certainly considered by most on this forum to be an acceptable product. It is not my favorite, but I can get a good shave with either the soap or the cream. I prefer their cream. I have never had a bad shave with Proraso.

Just a quick suggestion. Make sure you soak your brush in warm water while you shower. Shake a little water from the brush, not too much. Then really work the brush on the soap for 20-30 seconds to load the brush. Take a lather bowl, add a few drops of glycerin (optional) and vigorously stir up some uberlather. Add drops of hot water to the bowl as needed. This may take a minute or two. The result should be about the best Proraso soaped shaving cream you can get. Enjoy your shave.

+1 on that post. that actually sounds like a good idea with the whole glycerine thing. it could solve the problem! also, the white tub of soap may be a big help to your skin. let us know how it goes