Proraso Aftershave: Which Splash or Balm Matches Your Shave Cream
Match the colour and you are nearly done. Proraso builds each aftershave on the same actives as its shave cream, so the green Refresh splash or balm follows the green cream, the white Sensitive balm follows the white cream, and the red Coarse Beard balm follows the red cream.
The one that stings on a fresh close shave is the green After Shave Lotion. It is the only alcohol-based product in the line.
Splash or balm: how the line is split
Proraso sells one splash and four balms in its US range. The splash is the green After Shave Lotion, a traditional alcohol splash with witch hazel, menthol and eucalyptus oil. Every balm is alcohol-free, and each carries the same active pairing as its matching cream.
If you already know which cream suits you, our guide to Proraso shaving cream explains the red, green and white formulas. The aftershave decision is then only about texture: splash or balm.
Video: Joost Nusselder
Pairing each aftershave with its cream
Green cream: Refresh lotion or Refresh balm
Both green aftershaves carry the cream’s eucalyptus and menthol. The lotion gives the sharper cooling hit; Proraso’s own FAQ says the balm delivers only a bit of it.
Proraso also says the two work best layered: lotion first to tone the skin and clean small nicks, balm on top for hydration.
White cream: Sensitive balm
The white cream uses green tea and oatmeal, and the Sensitive Skin After Shave Balm repeats them. Scent is a light lime and apple, much quieter than the menthol line.
There is no white splash in the US range, which fits, since alcohol is what reactive skin was avoiding.
Red cream: Coarse Beard balm
The red cream pairs shea butter with sandalwood oil, and the Coarse Beard After Shave Balm matches it, adding sweet almond oil. Proraso lists it with no drying alcohols and aims it at skin prone to bumps and ingrown hairs. It has the warmest scent in the range.
Blue: the odd one out
The blue Protective After Shave Balm, with vitamin E and aloe vera, wears a modern amber and musk scent. It follows the blue Protective cream, and Proraso suggests it for particularly dry skin.
| Product | Colour | Key actives | Alcohol | Natural origin | Size | Price (proraso-usa.com) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh After Shave Lotion | Green | Witch hazel, menthol, eucalyptus oil | Yes (Alcohol Denat.) | 98% | 100 ml | $14.00 |
| Refresh After Shave Balm | Green | Eucalyptus oil, menthol | Alcohol-free | 85% | 100 ml | $16.00 |
| Sensitive Skin After Shave Balm | White | Oatmeal, green tea | Alcohol-free | 87% | 100 ml | $16.00 |
| Coarse Beard After Shave Balm | Red | Sandalwood oil, shea butter | Alcohol-free | 85% | 100 ml | $16.00 |
| Protective After Shave Balm | Blue | Vitamin E, aloe vera | Alcohol-free | not stated | 100 ml | $16.00 |
| Refresh After Shave Lotion, professional size | Green | Witch hazel, menthol, eucalyptus oil | Yes (Alcohol Denat.) | 98% | 400 ml | $36.00 |
Manufacturer figures and list prices from proraso-usa.com, September 2026. Street prices elsewhere differ: Razor Blades Club listed the 100 ml Refresh lotion at $10.58 on the same date.
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Which one stings, and what to do about it
Only the green lotion stings. Proraso’s FAQ describes a brief sting, especially over small nicks, followed by the cooling. Glycerin and witch hazel soften the after-feel, but it is still alcohol on open skin.
If you finish very close against the grain, shake a few drops onto a cold damp towel and press it on, the method Proraso’s lead educator recommends. Or go straight to a balm. Our aftershave balm vs splash comparison covers when each texture earns its place.
Where Proraso fits against other aftershaves
At $14 to $16 for 100 ml on the manufacturer’s store, Proraso sits in the budget-to-mid band. You are paying for a matched system: your cream and your aftershave share one scent and one set of actives.
If you would rather mix brands or want a stronger menthol hit, our best aftershave roundup lists the alternatives.