Few names in men’s grooming are as iconic as Proraso. Founded in Florence in 1908, Proraso built its reputation on classic barber‑shop formulations that marry natural ingredients with a dash of Italian flair. Whether you’re an old‑school barber or someone who shaves at home, understanding how to use each product in the right order transforms the act from a chore into a ritual. This guide walks through Proraso’s full range, from pre‑shave to after care, highlighting the different scents and formulas available at BarberCo.
Step 1 – Preparing the Canvas with Pre‑Shave Creams
Preparation is everything. A good pre‑shave softens the hair, raises the stubble and protects the skin. Proraso offers several formulas tailored to different needs. Each comes in a dense cream that you massage into damp skin before lathering. Don’t rinse it off; let it act as an invisible shield beneath your shaving cream.
| Formula | Key ingredients & benefits | Ideal for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refreshing (Green) | Thick cream softens whiskers while eucalyptus oil purifies and menthol tones and cools. | All beard/skin types; those who enjoy a bracing menthol kick. | Proraso Pre‑Shave Refresh Eucalypt |
| Nourishing for Coarse Beards (Red) | Shea butter and sandalwood oil soften coarse or curly beards and reduce bumps and ingrowns. | Thick, wiry beards prone to razor burn. | Proraso Pre‑Shave Cream Nourishing |
| Sensitive Skin (White) | Oatmeal and green tea soothe and calm inflamed skin while providing antioxidant protection. Lightly scented with lime and apple. | Sensitive or irritation‑prone skin. | Proraso Pre‑Shave Cream Sensitive |
| Protective (Blue) | Enriched with natural oils for a thickness that protects; finishes with a hint of citrus and mint. | Dry or rough skin that needs extra hydration. | Proraso Pre Shave Cream Azur Lime |
How to use: After washing your face with warm water, massage a small amount of cream into the beard area. Let it sit. It should feel slightly tingly for the menthol versions then apply your shaving cream directly over it. The pre‑shave won’t clog your razor; instead it improves glide and minimises irritation.
Step 2 – Building the Lather: Shaving Cream Tubes
Proraso’s shaving creams are made using a traditional hot‑soap process that allows the soap to mature for three days, producing a rich, elastic lather. You can use them with a brush for an old‑school experience or lather with your hands when travelling. Each formula mirrors the corresponding pre‑shave scent:
Proraso Shave Cream Tube Refresh Eucalypt: Eucalyptus oil tones and purifies, menthol revitalises and glycerin helps the blade glide, reducing razor burn. The classic barbershop scent makes every shave feel crisp.
Proraso Shave Cream Tube Nourish Shea: Rich in shea and cocoa butters with sandalwood oil to soften coarse hair; ideal for dense, curly beards.
Proraso Shave Cream Tube Sensitive: Oatmeal and green tea soothe while providing a creamy lather that protects delicate skin.
Proraso Shave Cream Tube Protect Aloe: Aloe vera, vitamin E and coconut oil deliver a hydrating shave with a modern amber‑musk fragrance.
Tip: For the thickest lather, soak your brush in warm water and whip the cream in a bowl or directly on your face until it forms soft peaks. The lather should be dense enough to hold its shape but not dry; add a few drops of water as needed.
Step 3 – The Shave
Armed with pre‑shave protection and a cushion of creamy lather, you’re ready to shave. Work slowly in the direction of hair growth for the first pass. Re‑lather for subsequent passes, going across and finally against the grain if your skin allows it. Rinse with cool water to close the pores, then pat your face dry. Now it’s time for post‑shave care.
Step 4 – Post‑Shave: Lotions & Balms
Proraso’s after‑shave products are designed to cool, soothe and restore balance to freshly shaved skin. Choose a splash or a balm depending on how your skin feels.
Alcohol‑based splash that cools and tones the skin. Witch hazel reduces inflammation while menthol revitalises and eucalyptus oil purifies. Ideal when you want that classic bracing finish.
Step 5 – Caring for Beards & Moustaches
Proraso doesn’t just cater to clean shaves; they offer a complete beard‑care range so you can keep facial hair soft, fragrant and under control.
Beard Wash & Oils
Proraso Beard Wash Azur Lime
Proraso’s Beard Oil is perfect for making beards softer and looking great. It helps reduce breakage, dandruff, and itching, all while making your beard easier to comb. It’s enriched with Omega 3, Omega 6, walnut oil, and sunflower oil, all of which help to moisturize and condition the thickest of beards. 
Proraso Beard Wash Eucapyptus
The Eucalyptus beard oil will feel cooling and refreshing on your skin while it tames, smooths, nourishes, and protects your beard, no matter what its length or thickness. Although designed for longer beards, use it wherever your facial hair currently stands. It’s enriched with natural ingredients like eucalyptus, bergamot, and rosemary, so you know you’re not adding harsh artificial chemicals and additives to your skin.
Proraso Beard Wash Wood And Spice
The wood and spice fragrance is warm and inviting while also masculine and musky. Tame strays and keep your beard in check all day long when you use this in the morning when your skin is at it's softest and easiest to handle.
Proraso Beard Wash Cypress Vetiver
This beard wash is part of their new Single Blade collection: a professional line based on natural ingredients, technically perfect textures, proven formulas, and exclusive fragrances.. It’s a low foaming, gentle cleanser for your beard that’s effective in getting you clean and feeling refreshed. Leaves you feeling soft, smooth, and with a conditioned beard, all while removing dirt and daily grime. 
Proraso Beard Oil Cypress Vetiver
This beard oil will straighten and strengthen your facial hair while softening and allowing you to take total control of your beard. Proraso uses cypress and vetiver in a lot of their products because of the light and amazing scent.
Moustache Wax
For gentlemen sporting a moustache, Proraso offers a pliable wax that starts like a cream and dries into a soft hold. The formula uses beeswax and shea butter to condition the hair, while eucalyptus oil and Mediterranean cistus provide freshness; perfect for shaping anything from a natural style to a handlebar. The wood‑and‑spice scent blends cedar, rock rose, cumin, saffron and vanilla for a warm, comforting aroma. Directions are simple: rub a small amount between your fingers to soften, work through the moustache and twist to style; re‑soften with warm water if you want to re‑style later.
Bringing It All Together
The secret to a great shave isn’t one product. It’s a sequence of products working together. Start with a pre‑shave cream to soften and protect, build a dense lather with a matching shaving cream, and finish with an after‑shave lotion or balm tailored to your skin type. If you’re growing facial hair, wash and oil your beard regularly and keep your ’stache in shape with wax.
Proraso’s formulas have been refined over decades, and each scent tells a different story - from the invigorating eucalyptus and menthol of the classic green line to the warm sandalwood of the red line, the calming oatmeal and green tea of the white line and the modern amber‑musk of the blue line.
Explore the full range at BarberCo’s Proraso collection and elevate your shave from routine to ritual.