Proraso has been producing shaving products in Florence, Italy, since 1908. For most of the twentieth century, the brand supplied Italian barbers, military institutions, and everyday shavers with a range of products built around the same core principle: effective shaving chemistry at accessible prices. The eucalyptus and menthol formula of the green-line products became the brand's signature — a cooling, invigorating sensation that defined the Proraso experience for generations.
| 01 | 01Proraso Shaving Cream, Eucalyptus Oil & Menthol (Green) | Shop → |
| 02 | 02Proraso Shaving Cream, Sandalwood Oil & Shea Butter (Red) | Shop → |
| 03 | 03Proraso Shaving Cream, Oatmeal & Green Tea (White) | Shop → |
In 2026, Proraso offers three distinct product lines distinguished by color: green (eucalyptus and menthol, for normal to oily skin), red (sandalwood and shea butter, for dry and coarse beards), and white (green tea and oat extract, for sensitive skin). Each line includes a pre-shave cream, a shaving soap, a shaving cream in a tube, and aftershave products. This guide focuses on the shaving creams, which are the most widely used Proraso products globally.
Proraso Green: Eucalyptus and Menthol
The green line is what most people mean when they say "Proraso." The shaving cream contains eucalyptus oil as an antiseptic and menthol as a cooling agent, combined with a glycerin base that provides lubrication and skin conditioning. The formula is free of parabens, mineral oils, and artificial colors.
In use, the green cream lathers exceptionally easily — among the easiest of any product in this guide. A small amount loaded onto a damp brush produces a dense, stable lather within thirty seconds. The lather quality is good: adequate slickness, reasonable cushion, and a pleasant texture. It does not match premium tallow soaps like Tabac for slickness, but it outperforms most drugstore products decisively.
The cooling sensation from menthol is pronounced — genuinely refreshing in warm weather and stimulating year-round. For men who have never used a proper shaving cream, the Proraso green experience is a revelation after pressurized foam. For experienced wet shavers, it may feel slightly sharp or "thin" compared to heavier cream formulations, but it remains a product many return to regularly for its sheer pleasantness and ease of use.
Proraso Red: Sandalwood and Shea Butter
The red line was developed for men with dry skin or coarse, dense beards that resist the green line's more stimulating formula. Where the green cream prioritizes the cooling sensation and antiseptic properties of eucalyptus, the red cream prioritizes moisture retention and skin conditioning through shea butter, combined with sandalwood oil, which Proraso says has a calming, soothing effect. The formula is made without parabens, silicones, mineral oils or artificial colors.
The post-shave feel from Proraso red is noticeably richer than the green formula. Skin feels conditioned rather than simply clean, and the sandawood scent — warm, slightly woody, unambiguously masculine — lingers briefly after rinsing. Men who find the green formula too sharp or cooling consistently prefer the red.
Lather quality from the red formula is comparable to the green — fast to build, stable, with slightly more cushion from the additional shea butter content. Slickness is marginally better than the green as well, making it the better choice for those who prioritize blade glide over the cooling sensation.
Proraso White: Sensitive Skin Formula
The white line targets sensitive skin specifically, using green tea extract as an antioxidant and oat extract for its soothing, anti-irritant properties. It skips the green line's eucalyptus-and-menthol profile in favor of a gentler formula aimed at sensitive and irritated skin. The scent is very mild compared with the other lines.
For men with chronic post-shave redness and irritation, Proraso white is the most appropriate starting point (if you know you react to menthol, check the ingredient list on the box). Performance is excellent — as easy to lather as the green formula, with a gentle post-shave feel that does not exacerbate sensitivity.
Line Comparison
| LINE | KEY INGREDIENTS | SENSATION | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Eucalyptus, Menthol | Cooling, stimulating | Normal / oily skin |
| Red | Sandalwood, Shea Butter | Rich, conditioning | Dry skin / coarse beard |
| White | Green Tea, Oat Extract | Gentle, mild | Sensitive / reactive skin |
Cream vs Soap: Which Proraso Product
Proraso also offers their formulas in hard soap puck format — green line soap is the most widely available. The soap requires slightly more loading time than the cream but provides the same lather quality once built. For home use, the soap in its tub is better value per shave. The cream tube is better for travel and for those new to brush shaving who benefit from the faster lather build time.
Final Verdict
Proraso shaving cream is not the best shaving cream in the world. It is, however, one of the best shaving creams for the money — each tube is around $9 on Amazon, sold by Amazon — and it is appropriate for every experience level from beginner to veteran. The three-line range covers every skin type adequately, and the products are universally available, consistently formulated, and priced to allow repeated purchase without deliberation.
For those who want to go further, Proraso is an excellent starting point from which to explore premium products like Tabac, Mitchell's Wool Fat, and Stirling Soap Co. For those who want to stay put, Proraso serves that role without apology.
To complete your shave setup with Proraso cream, read our Merkur 34C razor review and our guide to the best alum blocks for post-shave care.