Proraso vs. C.O. Bigelow vs. Omega - And the Winner Is?

I wanted to address this ongoing controversy. Beginning today I will endeavor to compare these 3 fine creams, all purportedly made by Proraso (Martelli is apparently the actual manufacturer).

Proraso ingredients: water, stearic acid, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, menthol, fragrance,amyl cinnamal,eugenol, geraniol, eucalyptol, boric acid, camphor, PEG-150 distearate, sodium metasilicate, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium borate, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, BHT.

Ingredients for Bigelow and Omega, see photos below.

I shaved today with the Omega and it was wonderful. It was remarkably similar to my memory of Proraso, same strong eucalyptus fragrance and menthol tingle. While I think Proraso is a fabulous product, it is not known for its lubricating qualities. I'm told the eucalyptus oil has a drying effect. So too with the Omega as there is some tightness after the shave. The aroma lingers nicely, it created thick gobs of lather, and I was delighted with the shave. As of now: indistinguishable from my MEMORY of Proraso. Tomorrow we take a whirl with C.O. Bigelow's version.

Cool test.

(edit: haha...that's a pun. Menthol = Cool. )

I have used all three, and can discern no difference that would make any one of them better than the other two.

They seem to perform (and smell) nearly identical in my experience.

IMO, Omega outdoes Proraso/Bigelow.

Three products that are essentially the same.
I use Proraso more often than the other two just because it's easier to find for me.

Thank You DE for undertaking this worthwhile experiment.

I have often wondered this myself, and will be following your thread.

Incidentally, Badger or Boar?

Norton, I'm using badger brushes for this experiment. This morning's shave with Bigelow was quite wonderful. (Golden Nib Badger Knot Silvertip in an old Ever Ready - that knot is actually a little prickly. Slim Adjustable on #4, Astra Platinum blade.) Back to the cream, slightly less pronounced aroma of Eucalyptus though equal amounts of menthol when compared with yesterday's shave with Omega. I thought my skin was not quite as tight with the Bigelow as was the case with Omega, which was a good thing, though I did prefer the more intense Eucalyptus experience from yesterday. The bottom line, however, is that both creams were extraordinarily similar with little discernible difference. Tomorrow, onward to Proraso. I'm having fun with the experiment, and will go through a second round before I draw any final conclusions. So far, I can say with confidence both the Omega and Bigelow = Good Stuff!

Glad to hear you're enjoying the shaves -

enjoyable experiments are much better than the other kind.

i want to go on record as saying that "a winner is you!" i'm sure all of these cream perform well and while i've never used omega or proraso i've used the bigelow and find it to be an excellent cream.

OldSchoolYoungin said:

IMO, Omega outdoes Proraso/Bigelow.

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I agree - I have used Proraso and Omega, and I think Omega is more methol than Proraso, and gives me a better shave.

Barry

Interesting experiments. It looks from the ingredient list that Omega and Proraso are identical while the C.O. Bigelow has no Cinnamal (a cinnamon alcohol used for fragrance resembling hyacinth), Eugenol (essential oil with scents of clove), and Geraniol (a rose scented alcohol.

I'm seeing they are all three the same product but that Proraso gave it a slightly different (possibly muted) scent for C.O. Bigelow.

Big Rich, thanks for that ingredient comparison. My shave with Proraso today is consistent with your theory. It appeared to be more strongly scented than the Bigelow. I'm going to give the Bigelow another go tomorrow and will report back. Today's shave was terrific in every way. Strong Eucalyptus fragrance, gobs of lather. I'm happy to report these are all excellent products and if one is more accessible to you than others you needn't worry that you are missing out on something that is drastically better than what you already have. You can't say that about many things associated with this hobby.

BigRich said:

It looks from the ingredient list that Omega and Proraso are identical while the C.O. Bigelow has no Cinnamal (a cinnamon alcohol used for fragrance resembling hyacinth), Eugenol (essential oil with scents of clove), and Geraniol (a rose scented alcohol.

I'm seeing they are all three the same product but that Proraso gave it a slightly different (possibly muted) scent for C.O. Bigelow.

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Darjeeling Express said:

My shave with Proraso today is consistent with your theory. It appeared to be more strongly scented than the Bigelow.

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The ingredient list on your tube of Bigelow is different (older) than a recently posted list - the new list shows the same ingredients as Proraso, whereas your list (and the tube I have, for that matter) shows some slight differences (as BigRich mentioned).

It could be that a more recent Bigelow tube may have more fragrance than the tube you are using.

Or not.

Thanks for the thread - very interesting!

Weirdness... on my tubes of Omega (I have two), I have lanolin as an ingredient. It shows as the third or fourth last ingredient. Recentish formula change?

BrianP said:

Weirdness... on my tubes of Omega (I have two), I have lanolin as an ingredient. It shows as the third or fourth last ingredient. Recentish formula change?

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Omega recently removed lanolin from their SC. Your tubes are the prior, and much liked, formulation.

They removed lanolin, huh? I think that's a big reason why my face liked it so much.

Is the new version just as good?

I actually just finished a tube of Omega cream and moved to a tub of Proraso soap.

I prefer the Omega actually. Having said that I think I'm more of a cream guy rather than soap (still kinda new at this) so I'm not sure if that is the reason why. I find getting the Proraso to lather up really nicely more challenging than the Omega cream in a shaving mug. Also I've found in the evening that my stubble is more pronounced than when using the Omega even though I'm using the exact same prep, technique, razor, etc.

Bobtrumpet said:

Omega recently removed lanolin from their SC. Your tubes are the prior, and much liked, formulation.

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Go figure... my first "I have some of the old formula of something or other" moment. Definitely bittersweet.

I got some CO Bigelow and have not tryed any thing else in the cream line mostly due to the lack of other products in my area.

BrianP said:

Go figure... my first "I have some of the old formula of something or other" moment. Definitely bittersweet.

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I wish I didn't know that feeling. But I do.

I've returned to the Bigelow several times to determine whether or not the fragrance is indeed discernibly more pronounced. At this point I am prepared to say that it is not. The first bunch of shaves were with the Slim Adjustable and terrific. I'm using the Gem Mircromatic closed comb for the final stretch and it is a different experience. When shaving with the Gem it is recommended that the blade guard rest flat against your face. This is quite a bit of shiny metal resting against your skin and unless the cream or soap is slippery there will be some resistance. Because these creams are not the slickest in the realm, there was some drag. Not blade drag, but there was resistance. Not an issue unless your using this particular kind of razor. Back to the main point. Bigelow's fragrance strength is comparable to Proraso and Omega. Tomorrow is the final shave with Proraso. A fitting cream for the finale of this comparison.