Proraso Irritating

[adrox]

Has anyone experienced severe irritation with Proraso shave cream? I've used AOS Sandalwood, TOBS Almond, Florena as well as other menthol creams such as Kiss My Face Cool Mint and Zirh with no problem.

However, I used Proraso for the first time yesterday and my face got extremely swollen and red. I rubbed it with lavender oil and took an anti-histamine and it slowly went away but its still very sensitive and dry.

Previously I also used the Proraso after shave balm with no problems and this is the first time that my face has reacted like this. I'm wondering the following:

Anyone know what ingredient could be causing this that the other menthol creams don't have?

I read that some people get irritation with TOBS Avocado and I'm planning on buying it as my next cream but I'd rather not waste $20 if I'm also going to have a reaction to it. Are those who react to Proraso also prone to react to TOBS Avocado and vice versa?

Thanks for any help. It's not really a big deal for me since honestly I liked the smell and feel of the Kiss My Face Cool Mint better but I'm just surprised and confused that this happened.

 

[TimmyBoston]

The eucalyptus in the Proraso could be the irritant.

Eucalyptus is not in Taylor's Avocado. The TOBS Avocado is extremely popular and well-respected. If you have a problem with it, you should be able to sell or trade it in the forum quite easily.

 

[Suzuki]

If I had to guess, it would be the lanolin.

Have you used products with lanolin before?

 

[adrox]

I'm not sure if it would be the lanolin or eucalyptus oil since I don't have any other products that have either ingredient. If it matters I've eaten sheep before but that's probably different than rubbing lanolin over my face.

 

[adrox]

Well I dared to try Proraso again for the past 2 days just because I had a couple days off work and wouldn't care if my face blew up in the morning and I have to say that all my irritation problems are gone.

I got an excellent shave and my skin looks fine afterwards. I don't know what happened the first time. Very weird.

 

[BrewShaver]

I was under the impression that only Proraso Red had lanolin ... the regular green does not. Right?

Anyway, I'm one of the unfortunate few who gets major irritation from TOBS Avocado, but Proraso Green is like wonderful, soothing magic.

 

[sullivanpm]

Proraso Green is like wonderful, soothing magic.

Don't for get the AV splash for the Menthol Bomb.
I have been using that combo for two week straight.

 

[guitarslinger]

Interesting.

I can use Proraso green every day and have great results,

But....

FLorena makes my face breakout into a purple, terribly itchy/painful rash.

so does proraso red I need to figure out what to do with those 3 tubes I have left

 

[Suzuki]

I was under the impression that only Proraso Red had lanolin ... the regular green does not. Right?

I believe that all the Proraso soaps/creams have lanolin, as do the Omega products.

Don't for get the AV splash for the Menthol Bomb.
I have been using that combo for two week straight.

Follow that with some of the pre-post for an extra blast - be sure to put the pre-post on while the AS splash is still slightly wet!

 

[Texican]

My guess would be the eucalyptus. If I remember correctly, only the red Proraso has lanolin.

 

[Suzuki]

Ok - I've said it once and I'll say it again, all of the Proraso creams/soaps have lanolin:

Here's a description of the cream in the green tube:

http://www.adonisgrooming.com/product.php?productid=6760

Here's a description of the soap:

http://www.adonisgrooming.com/product.php?productid=7175&cat=0&page=1

The Omega soap and tube also contain lanolin - which is not surprising since they're made by the same factory and are virtually identical.

 

[Texican]

Well, I stand corrected.

The red proraso irritates me, and not the green. I have no idea what it is, though.

I have tried a homemade eucalyptus shaving soap that was stronger than the Proraso Green. It was very cooling but not irritating.

I haven't used the Proraso aftershave splash though. Is it eucalyptus based too?

 

[OldFashioned]

The proraso green does NOT contain lanolin. It has the euc., menth. and boric acid. the RED contains lanolin. i dont care where you get your information from. that site doesnt know jack. i have the tubes in front of me.

FWIW, i use proraso red with ZERO irritation. i havent tried the green because everyone keeps freaking out about it. i did use the pre-post stuff on my face but i cant remember if it irritated my face or not. in any case, i think musgo irritated my face a bit, i noticed some red things on my cheeks, not a big deal. ill have to try that again. toms of main calendula really irritated my face. i think its the calendula FRAGRANCE that they have in it. thats probly why im too leery about trying Speick too.

 

[ScottS]

Menthol and Eucalyptus are counter-irritants, which by definition are irritants.

 

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I had the same problem when I first started to use Proraso. The swelling/irritation was an extremely weird and uncomfortable feeling, specially around the lips, and lasted for approx 2 weeks.

I would use it one day, and skip a day. I continued this for about a week and then regularly started using it. Now, my skin can handle Proraso and I get nothing but great shaves.

I think it's Eucalyptus and/or Menthol but it could possibly just be the soap/cream itself.

 

[reverendyo]

Interesting.

I can use Proraso green every day and have great results,

But....

FLorena makes my face breakout into a purple, terribly itchy/painful rash.

so does proraso red I need to figure out what to do with those 3 tubes I have left

Sell the red on the exchange or give me a price and I'll buy it. I love red proraso and actually love the green too!

 

[OldFashioned]

If it was that irritating, no one would be using it since 1926. Some do have more sensitive skin that others. i thought my skin was sensitive but proraso red gives me absolutely close and clean, irritation-free shaves. so ill just try out the green. if you dont want those 3 red tubes, ill gladly take them off your hands if the price is right.

 

[masonjarjar]

Everyone's face is different. I've tried lots of different products, but I've only come across one that seems to "burn" when I use it.. Conk's Almond soap. Go figure.

-Mason

 

[lowhawk]

Weird that it bothered you one time and not the next. I would think that the cream wouldn't be the problem then. I mean if you got irritation that bad and it was from the cream it would do it certainly do it everytime. Maybe the cream combined with another product? Hopefully you won't have anymore issues because it is a great cream.

 

[OldFashioned]

Menthol and Eucalyptus are counter-irritants, which by definition are irritants.

I was wondering how this can make sense.