Head-to-head
PREP vs. Proraso
The PREP product line is shown in this leaflet
So, how good is PREP, when compared with Proraso?
We did a quick, non scientific comparison of the two products.
Most of all, I was struck by the similarities between the two products. They smell almost the same, they have the same smooth, slick feel when applied to the face.
Let's have a look at the ingredients. First, the PREP ingredients:
PREP vs. Proraso
The
Proraso pre shave cream is well known in the United States, mainly
thanks to the fact that it is sold in Target, a very large chain of
department stores. In Italy, Proraso is a strong seller, but many
Italians actually prefer PREP: a similar product which is considered
slightly more "upmarket" than the "barbershop" Proraso.
PREP's history is an interesting one: the product has its origins in the U.S. It was introduced in Italy after World War II and marketed as a multi-use cream, good as a shaving preparatory cream, but also used to treat baby rash or as a salve against insect bites, sunburn, etc...
Italians love everything American and PREP became the pre-shave cream of choice for many Italian men, thanks in part also to several effective advertising campaigns in the Italian press. Incidentally, the original PREP was also licensed to a Dutch company and it remains available in Holland, although the Dutch manufacturers have altered the formula over the years, adding more chemical substances, including some that are not allowed in certain Countries.
Following the success of its pre-shave cream in Italy, PREP S.r.L. (the Italian manufacturer) went on to develop a line of shaving related products that include a rapid shave foam, a lathering shaving cream, an after shave balm and a liquid pre-shave balm.
PREP's history is an interesting one: the product has its origins in the U.S. It was introduced in Italy after World War II and marketed as a multi-use cream, good as a shaving preparatory cream, but also used to treat baby rash or as a salve against insect bites, sunburn, etc...
Italians love everything American and PREP became the pre-shave cream of choice for many Italian men, thanks in part also to several effective advertising campaigns in the Italian press. Incidentally, the original PREP was also licensed to a Dutch company and it remains available in Holland, although the Dutch manufacturers have altered the formula over the years, adding more chemical substances, including some that are not allowed in certain Countries.
Following the success of its pre-shave cream in Italy, PREP S.r.L. (the Italian manufacturer) went on to develop a line of shaving related products that include a rapid shave foam, a lathering shaving cream, an after shave balm and a liquid pre-shave balm.
The American parent company is no longer in business, apparently unable
to compete with similar creams like the ubiquitous Noxema, but the
Italian company is doing very well, branching out with new lines of
cosmetics that go well beyond its line of shaving products.
The licensing agreement signed by PREP Italy, however, contains a clause preventing them from re-selling their products in the United States. When I spoke to them a while ago, they confirmed that they are not allowed to export their products to the U.S.
The licensing agreement signed by PREP Italy, however, contains a clause preventing them from re-selling their products in the United States. When I spoke to them a while ago, they confirmed that they are not allowed to export their products to the U.S.
The PREP product line is shown in this leaflet
So, how good is PREP, when compared with Proraso?
We did a quick, non scientific comparison of the two products.
Most of all, I was struck by the similarities between the two products. They smell almost the same, they have the same smooth, slick feel when applied to the face.
Let's have a look at the ingredients. First, the PREP ingredients:
Then, the Proraso ingredients:
Let's have a look at the two creams:
While similar, they have quite a few differences in their formulations:
PREP contains peppermint in addition to menthol, camphor and thyme. Peppermint
has a
refreshing action on the skin and is also a good topical antiseptic. It
also contains Methyl Salicylate, which is also known as oil of
wintergreen and is a well known topical pain reliever used in products
like BenGay and Icy Hot. In a shaving cream, it has a slight
numbing effect, relieving razor burn and other small irritations. It
also contains Clove Oil (Eugenia Caryophyllus) which is an effective
local anaestethic. Most importantly, PREP does not contain Eucalyptus!
I would have never guessed this, as the two creams smell so much alike!
Proraso contains menthol, camphor and eucalyptus, as well as several plant-derived oils, like geraniol, which is a natural fragrance with antiseptic qualities (it is also reportedly a cancer-preventing substance), Coumarin, an anti-fungicidal and tumor preventing substance found in lavender and licorice and Eugenol, a local antiseptic and anaestethic. A word of caution, as it also contains Amyl Cinnabal, a substance which may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Proraso contains menthol, camphor and eucalyptus, as well as several plant-derived oils, like geraniol, which is a natural fragrance with antiseptic qualities (it is also reportedly a cancer-preventing substance), Coumarin, an anti-fungicidal and tumor preventing substance found in lavender and licorice and Eugenol, a local antiseptic and anaestethic. A word of caution, as it also contains Amyl Cinnabal, a substance which may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Let's have a look at the two creams:
Both creams look and smell alike. PREP feels slightly softer and
smoother to the touch. Proraso is slightly more grainy at first, but as
soon as it is applied over the skin, its texture changes and it becomes
smoother, more liquid.
When rubbed between two fingers, the two creams feel almost identical; any differences in scent are minute and hard to define. Their effectiveness in preparing the skin for shaving is extremely good and is very similar between the two products.
I know several people who shave using only the PREP or Proraso creams, without applying any soaps or lathers.
The are also very effective as aftershave treatments: I dilute them slightly by applying them with wet hands and they are very soothing and refreshing, with a pleasant cooling sensation.
When rubbed between two fingers, the two creams feel almost identical; any differences in scent are minute and hard to define. Their effectiveness in preparing the skin for shaving is extremely good and is very similar between the two products.
I know several people who shave using only the PREP or Proraso creams, without applying any soaps or lathers.
The are also very effective as aftershave treatments: I dilute them slightly by applying them with wet hands and they are very soothing and refreshing, with a pleasant cooling sensation.
So,
is there a winner? In my opinion, the two products are almost
interchangeable. They are both superb pre shave creams and they have
been popular in Italy for decades.
Are there any other similar creams available? Well, in Italy most barbers have shifted from using Proraso and PREP to using a similar cream, called 3P. This is a very good product and it is sold exclusively to barbershops, not to the public. In the U.S., traditional Noxema (the original formula, not the more recent variants) can also be used as an excellent pre shave treatment, although the Italian creams have slightly better lubricating qualities.
I enjoy the cooling action of PREP and Proraso: they make my shave more enjoyable and provide a cushioning effect that prevents accidental cuts and helps achieve that perfect, baby-bottom-smooth shave that we always strive for.
As a bonus, they also provide the coolest, most soothing sensation when applied after the shave. Winners both!
Are there any other similar creams available? Well, in Italy most barbers have shifted from using Proraso and PREP to using a similar cream, called 3P. This is a very good product and it is sold exclusively to barbershops, not to the public. In the U.S., traditional Noxema (the original formula, not the more recent variants) can also be used as an excellent pre shave treatment, although the Italian creams have slightly better lubricating qualities.
I enjoy the cooling action of PREP and Proraso: they make my shave more enjoyable and provide a cushioning effect that prevents accidental cuts and helps achieve that perfect, baby-bottom-smooth shave that we always strive for.
As a bonus, they also provide the coolest, most soothing sensation when applied after the shave. Winners both!
© 2007 by Giovanni Abrate - All Rights Reserved