Proraso Shaving Guide

Use Proraso in this order: damp skin, optional pre-shave cream, shaving cream or soap worked into a lather, then aftershave once you have shaved and rinsed. Choose Green for the eucalyptus-and-menthol finish, White for the sensitive-skin line, Red for coarse stubble and a sandalwood scent, or Blue for the aloe-and-vitamin-E line.

The jar marked Pre-Shave Cream and the tube marked Shaving Cream do different jobs. The first stays under the lather; the second makes it. You can start with one shaving cream and one aftershave. Add pre-shave if you want an extra preparation step, rather than buying every jar on the shelf.

Three stages, shown with the Green line. Product photographs from our shop catalogue.

Proraso Green, White, Red or Blue: which should you choose?

Start with how your skin feels after shaving and whether you enjoy a cooling formula. The colour helps you find the line, but still read the product name: a beard balm and an aftershave balm are not interchangeable.

Line ingredients and positioning: Proraso's shaving range. This table compares the lines; it does not mean every format is stocked in our shop.

White is marketed for sensitive skin, but it is not fragrance-free: Proraso lists fragrance in the White balm's ingredients. If you know a particular ingredient bothers you, check the current pack rather than choosing by colour alone. A cooling sensation is a preference, not a test of how well the shave went.

Proraso shaving cream or soap?

The tube is the simpler starting point. The tub suits a brush routine. Proraso Shave Cream 150ml is the Green eucalyptus-and-menthol cream. You squeeze out a little, add water and build the lather with a brush or your hands. It is useful if you want to control the amount without loading a brush from a tub.

Proraso Green Refreshing Shaving Soap has a firmer texture. Use a damp shaving brush to pick it up, then work it into a lather. You do not need both the tube and the tub for one shave. Choose the format you will enjoy using.

Proraso explains the formats and brush requirements in its Green shaving cream directions and FAQ.

How do you use Proraso Pre-Shave Cream?

Apply a thin layer to your damp face, massage it in and leave it there. Put the shaving lather over the top. Proraso's pre-shave directions explicitly say not to rinse it off before applying soap or foam.

Pre-shave cream does not make the lather and does not replace shaving cream. Nor does adding more make up for a blunt blade or heavy pressure. If your usual preparation already gives you a comfortable shave, it is a step you can choose to add.

Our Green Refresh Pre-Shave Cream comes in a 300ml jar. The eucalyptus and menthol give it the same cooling character as the rest of the Green line.

How to shave with Proraso, step by step

1. Wet the skin and stubble

Wash your face and wet the area you plan to shave with comfortably warm water. If you are removing a longer beard, shorten it with clippers first so it does not clog the razor.

2. Apply pre-shave, if you use it

Massage a thin layer of Proraso Pre-Shave Cream onto damp skin. Leave it on. Apply your shaving lather over it; do not rinse it off or use it instead of shaving cream.

3. Make a creamy lather

Work a small amount of shaving cream with water, using a damp brush or your hands. For soap in a tub, load a damp shaving brush on the soap first. Add water gradually until the lather spreads smoothly and covers the skin.

4. Shave with the direction of growth

Use short strokes and light pressure, following the direction your stubble grows. Rinse the razor frequently. Before another pass or a small touch-up, apply fresh lather to that area.

5. Rinse and apply aftershave

Rinse away the remaining lather and pat the skin dry. Apply a small amount of aftershave balm with gentle movements. If you prefer a lotion, follow its label and keep it away from the eyes.

Rafael at work during a shaving appointment. Image from our shaving ritual reel.

You do not have to shave against the grain to finish. Check the direction around your neck separately; it may differ from the cheeks. Stop chasing one last rough patch if it means repeatedly running the blade over bare skin.

Preparation and application: Proraso's three-product routine. Light pressure and direction of growth: Proraso's clean-shave tutorial.

What if the lather is thin, dry or disappearing?

Look at the texture before changing products. A few large bubbles on a wet face are different from an even layer that stays where you spread it.

• It feels thick and drags: work in a little more water rather than piling on more cream.
• It looks watery or full of large bubbles: use less water at the start and work in a little more product.
• It dries while you shave: wet the brush slightly and refresh the lather on the next area.
• The soap barely loads: make sure the brush is damp and has picked up enough soap before moving to your face or bowl.

Add water gradually. You are aiming for a creamy covering, not the biggest possible mound of foam. Proraso's soap instructions use a damp brush and circular loading movements.

Aftershave balm or lotion?

Choose a balm if you prefer a creamy finish; choose the Green lotion if you enjoy the traditional splash. The Green After Shave Balm is alcohol-free, with eucalyptus and menthol. Apply a little after rinsing and drying the skin. You can also choose White Sensitive, Red Nourish or Blue Protective balm without changing your shaving cream.

Green Refresh After Shave Lotion is a different formula and contains alcohol. You do not need to layer lotion and balm to complete the shave. If you dislike the feel of a splash, pick a balm instead.

Formula details: Green balm, Green lotion, Red balm and Blue balm.

A simple Proraso routine to start with

For a first setup, choose one shaving cream or soap and one aftershave. The Green tube and Green balm make sense if you like menthol. If you already have a cream that works for you, keep it and choose the aftershave finish you prefer. Add pre-shave later if you want to try that extra preparation step.

Our Proraso shop shows current prices and availability. If you would rather talk through your shaving routine in the chair, see our barber service menu.

Keeping a beard and caring for the hair is a separate routine. That is covered in our beard product guide.

FAQ

Do you wash off Proraso Pre-Shave Cream?
No. Apply it to damp skin and leave it on. Put shaving cream or soap lather over it, then rinse everything off after shaving.

Can you shave with Proraso Pre-Shave Cream alone?
It is a preparation product. Proraso's instructions use shaving soap or foam over it; use a separate lathering product for the shave.

Do you need a brush for Proraso shaving cream?
The cream in a tube can be lathered with a brush or your hands. Proraso's soap in a tub needs a shaving brush to load the soap and make the lather.

Which Proraso line is for sensitive skin?
White is Proraso's sensitive-skin line, with oat and green tea extracts. It is not automatically fragrance-free, so check the ingredients on the particular product you choose.

Is Proraso aftershave alcohol-free?
The Green, White, Red and Blue aftershave balms discussed here are alcohol-free. The Green aftershave lotion contains alcohol. Check whether the bottle says balm or lotion.

Can you mix different Proraso colours?
You can choose the shaving product and aftershave separately. A Green shaving cream does not require a Green aftershave; choose the finish you prefer and check each product's ingredients.