I also use it as a pre-shave and I love it. For those down under, Nathan at MensBiz is getting some of the sensitive stuff later this year. He says they are waiting to print some English labels and won't let him sell the Italian labelled one.
The white-lidded jar describes itself as a pre-shave cream for sensitive skins, without the "post-". I agree that it protects very well, but it has some powerful, strongly-scented chemicals that clash with any subtle-smelling cream that a person might want to use. Maybe these same chemicals are needed for its efficacy, otherwise it is a shame that they had to be included. My favorite cream is the delicate Trumper's Almond, but it is completely dominated by the Proraso and I don't like that at all. The Proraso works much better with SMN, which is of the same type, scent-wise.
This is completely in line with my post earlier in this thread.
I'd like to try a pre-shave product and I'm looking at this or the AoS pre-shave oil. besides the price difference, can anyone do a compare/contrast?
I have noticed, however, if you use the post, make sure your face is dry or it becomes a gunky film.
I agree with everything said here, Proraso products are some of the best shaving products available. I recently bought the 500ml pre/post, 500ml shave cream and the 400 ml splash, I like it that much