So I'm trying this out and liking the concept. I bought the Ammonium Alum variety from the drugstore: toss up between Crystal and Naturally Fresh, and I went with the latter because it was fifty cents cheaper. Just one question about it: Is the the stone/crystal sufficiently antibacterial that I could use it on, say, the soles of my feet, then apply elsewhere without a worry?
Alum is known to have antibacterial properties. I would buy a second stick though. Well, actually, remove I from the previous statement. Buy a second stick. I would use regular deoderant. Something about traveling through europe and people smelling that makes me always want to smell so fresh and so clean clean.
Personally, I wouldn't. But I'm OCD like that. I'd buy one for each application: pits, feet, jock....jock? The rock doesn't serve the same purpose as powder if that's what you're thinking....
Isn't the rock versatile? How antibacterial is it? And so far as talc on the undercarriage is concerned, I know it's not the same, doesn't prevent or absorb sweat, but it keeps everything fresh - and no mess. With stick deodorant I'd use it foot and elsewhere but that has high alcohol content...Hoping this is the same. Now I'm freaked :sick007
It's a deodorant, that's all it does, AFAIK.....although I have heard of some using it as an alum block I think the Crystal is a different mineral than the alum block... Good question.... Well, it will keep odor away without the mess of a deodorant or antipersperant stick, yes....but it still won't keep things dry
Kaveh, I wouldn't go from foot to jock with the same stick. The Crystal (or Naturally Fresh) is so cheap, I'd probably buy one for each application (feet, jock, pits). If you're REALLY worried...buy some regular deodorant, or swab the alum slab with some isopropyl alcohol to kill bacteria.
It's actually really good there. Nice and cooling, it keeps you freshilicous. I'm going to buy another one for pits and bits. I hate talc.
Oh, and do you guys just put the cap back on while after application (while it's still wet/moist), or do you have to let it dry first - then cap it?
I'd let sit a few hours between body parts to let the nasties die. I don't know if it would be effective on athelets foot. I'm sure it would kill the fungus, but on the foot, the fungus gets below the skin and is difficult to kill with any topical. Potassium alum is also used as an astringent/skin tightener and is good after a shave. It is also just as good as deodorant. Ammonium alum can be more irritating on just-shaved skin. The container is pretty well vented, but in a humid environment, a quick wipe with a paper towel wouldn't hurt to keep it the skin bound surface smooth. Speaking from experience, be careful not to drop it! One thing I noticed about the Crystal brand: when its extended all the way, there is still a bit left below the top of the container that can't be used. I like the Thai brand, which is ammonium, and is a loose rock. I store it in a small plastic container without a lid. Thai also comes in a roll-on and spray. The rock is probably more cost effective. Hope that helps!
If you want to use the product on alternative areas of your anatomy, personally I don't see a problem with it. The only think I might interject is that you might just want to apply the product to your hand and then rub it on your feet, rather than applying the rock directly to the foot or wherever else you have in mind. I personally love the rock. I use it exclusively for the underarms but I use an alum block on my face occasionally as well. I won't go back to traditional deodorants.
I will say the rock is my only deodorant now. I use to use A/P and will never again. I sweat less now than ever. When I do it "feels" cleaner and not all gunky. Your t-shirts will love it! I am a fragrance addict but after using the rock....fragrance is going on my body and not my pits. The damn thing last forever also! I will say....it does last 20-24 hours. I will start to stink after that but thats its job isnt it? If you have issues with other parts of your body....research on. Feet stink? soak in epsom salt. Certain Dri will help out any perspiration issues but thats another thread.
Done w/ Ammonium Alum... Going back to Old Spice Classic deodorant, the smell of which is divine. I've no need for A/P. I used to use deod on bits, pits and feet without a prob. Alum is good, and it feels fantastic when you wet the stone with cold water prior to application, but it's something of a nuisance to use and not as effective as I'd like. Worked nicely on the days on which I didn't do much activity, but tonight I partied like a madman, sweated like a pig and then my GF thought I smelled like one. Now I have to try the Potassium variety for post-shave I can image it feeling so unbelievably soothing...
I usually do alum in the pits, but on training days (me=runner) or days when I can't risk an odor I use my Tabac deo stick. Most of the time the alum does fine for me though... I've noticed that on days when I drink too much coffee or tea that tha alum doesn't hold out well for me.
Old Time Creams I remeber watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon with alum when it dried up the martians mouth, never could figyre that out back in the 70's. It was an old joke because Alum was in all the products from that day like the small jars of cream that people would dip into and spread in their arm pits.
Just be aware that aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, due to high concentrations of the metal in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. There are lots of people that don't use aluminum containing deodorants for that reason. Alum is the pure form of the chemical used in deodorant so even if deodorant is safe, I'm not so sure about the concentrated form.
