What's the point of alum prior to splash? Is it for the cooling sensation? Splash soothes and sanitizes. Never tried a potassium alum block on my face, only the ammonium - whose best point was how nice and cooling it felt upon application.
I used to go to an Indian Grocery off of Druid Hills & Briarcliff area(Think was called Taj Mahal), but has been a couple years since i've been there, and wasn't looking for Alum the times I was in there.
The alum is far more potent than the splash. That means the proper question is this: what's the point of a splash after you've used alum? The answer for me is scent and light moisturizing (which only comes from some splashes, but those are the ones I like best). The splash is the luxury after the functional alum is used.
Isn't splash thoroughly antiseptic - circa 70 percent alcohol content? Does Potassium Alum really cool upon application? I loved the Ammonium on my armpits.
Certain bacteria can live in pure ethanol or methanol. These bacteria are ones that are commonly associated with acne and razor burn, hence the improved healing from alum for those who have facial chemistry that prone to the bacteria thriving. It's not something needed by everyone, so if you don't feel you need it, don't use it and don't worry about it. The cooling effect is present from potassium alum (never used the ammonium), but it is minimal. Nothing like a strong mint or menthol. Personally, I think this is a good thing so I can use it comfortably year round. Overall, alum as an aftershave treatment is wonderful for some people and a waste of time or overly drying for others. I'd recommend anyone who either has oily skin or is prone to acne and razor burn try alum. I'd steer anyone with dry skin away from it. I'd recommend trying alum as deodorant to everyone. Of course I haven't had as many discussions on this, so it's possible but not likely I'll change my mind.
I have to try some; why do people wash it off though? What's more, doesn't the soap from your wash before shaving - provided that you do wash - remove the bacteria, acne causing or otherwise?
I rinse alum off because the mineral left behind make AS balm feel gritty. I don't wash my face with soap. I shave in the shower and lather a small dab of SC over my face before I shampoo and condition. Then I rinse it off after. Then I do afull lather with a brush for shaving. I don't want "hair strengthening" shampoo/conditioner on my beard just before I shave. I use the SC to displace any that might run on to my face. I think the SC also does a good job cleaning the skin like soap, but without over drying it. about twice a week I'll use a scrub. IMHO, potassium and ammonium are virtually identical. except that ammonium is a bit more irritating. I actually didn't know that some acne bacteria can live in alcohol, so +1 for alum! Alum is not only antiseptic. It's also astringent so it closes the pores and tightens the skin. This also help reduce infection an irritation. As to the cooling effect, I think it pure from evaporation. The minerals my make it evaporate quicker so if feels cooler. I've always attributed the cooling effect to the cold water I use to dip the block in. It does not have eucalyptus/menthol type cooling effect. To me ammonium feels the same as potassium in this regard. The only advantage I can see to ammonium alum it is might be a little cheaper. But they are close enough that prices overlap quite a bit. And it lasts so long that the dimes you save don't amount to much. I'll stick with potassium for both deodorant and AS astringent.
People wash it off because the salt can create an osmosis effect and dry out your skin if you don't. The alum can penetrate the skin to kill bacteria in the skin instead of just killing bacteria on the skin as soaps do. Plus it can kill some of the bacteria that soap doesn't kill (soap will kill 99%+ of bacteria but not 100%) This isn't an issue for everyone, but depends on skin chemistry (oil, pH, etc.).
i use mine after every shave, feels great. after I cold rinse I rub it on and clean up, then rinse it all off and use my AS.
I have used a Alum stick from De Vergulde Hand for a few months, having bought Styptic Pencils in the UK (maybe made from Titanium dioxide) as they were not a clear alum stick. However today I bought an Alum block from Kruidvat at only 1.99 euros for 75g. Usually Kruidvat and Etos are far more expensive that the UK store prices. UK websites are selling similar blocks for 7.99 GBP. I think I will be using the block instead of or in addition to astringent toners as I have an excessively oily T-Zone.
One good use for an alum block that hardly ever gets mentioned is to improve the grip of your fingers for stretching. When my face is wet and soapy, especially in the summer if I'm sweating, I wet my fingers and rub them on the alum block. This gives my fingers good traction for stretching.
i use it after a cold rinse & leave my face while i clean up the sink....... pat dry with a towel & apply shaving balm. I bought a Trumper block of alum, I have had it a year & it looks almost new. it will last alooonnnng time so $20.00 well spent.
I have tried alum block in the past(here is tough to find it locally) and I have found that with some ASB like Weleda you dont need to rinse off the alum before you put the ASB on your face.Weleda has a similar formulation to TSD milk so I guess that you can use both(the alum and the ASB/M) and not having that gritty feeling mixing both.Actually leaves your skin really soothe and non oily at all.If I get the chance and find the alum I will use it again,but I know that I will miss the burning sensation of a good AS splash.
I noticed that this thread has been going on a while, but.........If you are looking for Indian stores and live in Atlanta, go to Decatur, there is a large Indian population in that area along Scott BLVD / Dekalb Industrial. Atlanta Barber Supply on Mitchell St downtown (near the Capital) sells a good sized block of alum for a little over $4.00. They last forever, and you can order on line as well. These are dome shaped, and work really well. I use mine every morning after I wipe off the lather and leave it on while I clean up. Then a cold water splash to rinse off, and I am through. They really help me with iritation, and burn. Will N.
Regardless of where you live, you'll find alum sold as solid deodorant at most health/organic food stores. It works really well as deodorant in addition to shaving related use. I also don't think I post my results from dissolving the end of an alum block I crushed into water in a spray bottle for deodorant. It works great, but for some reason, I didn't like the lack of scent when sprayed so I added 10 sprays of 1805 to the bottle which gave a light fragrance that's just enough. The lack of scent never bothered be when using the solid rock - go figure.
Double check to make sure those deodorants are potassium alum. Some use ammonium alum which can more more irritating on a freshly shaved face. At the Local Giant (Safeway-like grocer) I saw a bottle of shoe deodorant spray. It contained (potassium) alum. I forgot the brand name and didn't check the price. I think it was 3-4 ounces. It was near the athlete's foot treatments. Try mixing alum with witch hazel. If you use a scented WH, that might solve you problem. I used about 4-5 16 oz bottles of store brand WH to dissolve a 4 oz alum block. I mixed a touch of cedar EO for scent.
I did mention the Potasium/ammonium issue above, but it's a good reminder. I'd be careful the shoe deodorant didn't have other ingredients and check that the price is still reasonable (i doubt it for the small container or solution). I can't stand the scent of WH. I'll just use my next block until it's down to ~20% and then dissolve it like I already did or maybe with alcohol and add either some cologne, aftershave, or EO for scent. I like cedar scent, but might do something known to be anti-bacterial considering it's deodorant. Now, I just thought the spay I made might be good for deodorizing shoes. I'll have to give it a try with an old pair of shoes.
