Thread: Proraso vs. Noxzema

Okay, so I've totally gotten into the pre-shave prep for my straight razor shave: taking a shower before the shave, using hair conditioner on my face while showering, the micro wave to steam my towel, etc. So I read about pre shave skin food and I fork over 15 bucks for a 3.6 oz jar of Proraso. I open the jar and put it on my face and I'm thinkin' "hey, this smells/feels familiar." I look over at my wife's vanity and there is a jar of Noxzema sittin' there. I open the jar and it smells almost identical. I check out the ingredients and they are very similar (I'm not a chemist so I don't know the significance of some of the chemical items listed that are different). But at 4 bucks for a 10.75 oz jar of Noxzema vs. almost 15 bucks for a measly 3.6 oz of Proraso I have to ask, what difference is there (if any) besides the obvious $$$ savings? Anyone have some insight to share?

I don't really know, but similar scents and/or feelings don't really mean anything. I'm guessing the sensation was the cooling due to the menthol? Anything with menthol will feel like that. It could well be they do the same exact thing to your hair and face too...

Couple years ago, I did this little experiment side by side because it was mentioned that they were so similar. The results (used as a pre-shave) were VERY similar with the Proraso having a little more cooling effect. I really couldn't tell the difference other than that.

YMMV, as always...

Isn't noxzema a make-up remover/ facial cleanser? Made for women? I guess if it works for you, that's great and it means money saved, but proraso has made shaving creams since the 1920s or 30s especially for men and they specialize in shaving creams and soaps. I'd rather pay a little more for the real thing.

I know exactly what your talking about. When I bought my first jar of Proraso, I thought, This does smell familiar, It took me a while to remember that it was Noxema.
Menthol aside, they are very, very familiar in composition too.
I've never done a side by side, or compared. Noxema is a facial cleanser, I can't see why it couldn't be used, it cleans and opens your pores. Some guys use straight olive oil. Why not test it and post your results....?

Can you post the ingredients?

Proraso: Aqua, Stearic Acid, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Camphor, Eucalyptus globulus, Potassium Hydroxide, Menthol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Cetearyl Alchol, Eucalyptol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Methychloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Noxzema: Water, Stearic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed), Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Fragrance, Ammonium Hydroxide, Camphor, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Propylene Glycol, Gelatin, Calcium Hydroxide

There you go...

while they do seem to have quite a few ingredients in common, i wouldn't shrug off the ones listed that are not in the noxema. Look at common salt. Sodium is bad for you, chloride is poisen, mix them together and they make the world's most common food spice.

I know of a barber that uses Noxema pre every shave on clients. I use it periodically and can definately say that it is on par with Proraso pre/post. I do believe proraso is much more concentratied and has a stronger portioned of cooling ingredients. My suggestion is to add a big smacking glob of Noxema to a small man jar for ones shaving laboratory.
MikeB

Originally Posted by sfdtuzolto

Proraso: Aqua, Stearic Acid, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Camphor, Eucalyptus globulus, Potassium Hydroxide, Menthol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Cetearyl Alchol, Eucalyptol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Methychloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Noxzema: Water, Stearic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed), Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Fragrance, Ammonium Hydroxide, Camphor, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Propylene Glycol, Gelatin, Calcium Hydroxide

There you go...

From this they are very similar with regard to their active ingredients. The Noxzema would probably be considered somewhat more "natural", though both contain synthetics. The amyl cinnamal, coumarin, Eugenol and Geraniol in the Proraso are just fragrances. The parabens and thiazolinones are fungal and antibacterial preservatives