Old Noxzema Lather Shave Cream

[Scissors]

Back when I first was shaving with a brush and double edge blade, in the pre-internet (that's right, not just pre-web but pre-internet) days, my shave cream of choice was Noxzema "medicated" lather shave cream. If memory serves, it had a hell of a menthol kick and terrific, if medicinal, aroma.

Now that I've returned to what's come to be called wetshaving (or was I just ignorant of the name back then?), I'd like to find something like it. I understand that Noxzema was manufactured under license in Italy until recently and occasionally a cache of NOS turns up, but aside from that, there's no reliable source for it anymore.

So what can folks recommend that's similar to my old friend?

 

[Kevan]

Edit: I just noticed your signature, and you're already familiar with Omega, which means you're also familiar with Proraso. Sorry.

I had a tube of the Italian Noxzema but gave it to a friend because the lather wasn't as slick as I expected. I liked the somewhat minty/medicinal aroma but to be perfectly honest, I find Proraso (aka Omega, aka C.O. Bigelow) to be a better cream.

It's loaded with menthol and has a terriffic soapy eucalyptus scent. C.O. Bigelow cream is identical to Proraso and Omega Sapone Da Barba is nearly identical. Omega used to have lanolin, but the new tubes and soap tubs are identical to Proraso in every way except a lighter scent.

Proraso also makes a soft soap (like a hard cream) in a tub called "Green Tea & Aloe" for sensitive skin. It has less menthol than the normal variety.

Other options are Ingram (with menthol, lanolin, and a old-school Borax-type scent) and Godrej Menthol Mist (also with lanolin and a minty menthol-y scent). The only other option that comes to mind is Valobra Menthol, which is another Italian soft soap/cream.

All of these can be found easily at various reputable vendors.

 

[Wingnut]

Godrej Menthol Mist (also with lanolin and a minty menthol-y scent)... All of these can be found easily at various reputable vendors.

I too used to use Noxema cream way back in the day... good stuff!

+1 to your trying Godrej Menthol Mist.

If you're interested in it, I would encourage you to scout for Godrej at your local Indian market, if you have one. My local market sells all 3 versions (Menthol Mist, Rich Foam, and Lime) for $2.99/tube, as well as Hero alum bars for $0.99 and various other Indian shaving supplies. You can't beat those prices on the web, and there's no waiting at home for the package to arrive. If you're not able to find any, PM me and perhaps I can arrange for some to come your way...

 

[Chevyguy]

Edit: I just noticed your signature, and you're already familiar with Omega, which means you're also familiar with Proraso. Sorry.

I had a tube of the Italian Noxzema but gave it to a friend because the lather wasn't as slick as I expected. I liked the somewhat minty/medicinal aroma but to be perfectly honest, I find Proraso (aka Omega, aka C.O. Bigelow) to be a better cream.

It's loaded with menthol and has a terriffic soapy eucalyptus scent. C.O. Bigelow cream is identical to Proraso and Omega Sapone Da Barba is nearly identical. Omega used to have lanolin, but the new tubes and soap tubs are identical to Proraso in every way except a lighter scent.

Proraso also makes a soft soap (like a hard cream) in a tub called "Green Tea & Aloe" for sensitive skin. It has less menthol than the normal variety.

Other options are Ingram (with menthol, lanolin, and a old-school Borax-type scent) and Godrej Menthol Mist (also with lanolin and a minty menthol-y scent). The only other option that comes to mind is Valobra Menthol, which is another Italian soft soap/cream.

All of these can be found easily at various reputable vendors.

+1 on the Ingrams. It's got a nice menthol kick to it. Mama bear makes a soap called awakening's thats super mentholated. Great stuff.

Clayton