Thread: Alum block?

Correct me if i'm wrong but the "thai" deodorant rocks are labeled as 'alum' and are a mineral salt. You can get these at most natural food/health stores for under $8. Someone chime in and verify if it's the same material as 'alum' for shaving??

You can get an alum block from your local Indian grocery for a few bucks. Great stuff. Just make sure to have wet skin when you rub it all over your face and promptly rinse it completely off with cool water.

I have sensitive skin and use alum. I love it, works great. But if you are getting shaving bumps it's due to technique, not your post shave routine. You're likely shaving hairs below skin level, which tends to cause ingrowns which get infected and cause the bumps. Try to adjust your technique: cut out any ATG passes in trouble spots, keep your angle shallow and pressure at zero. That will go a long way towards alleviating your problem.

Just make sure whatever you use that it is Potassium Alum and not Ammonia Alum.

Go online to Tulumba. They sell Alum Blocks cheap. I usually buy about 10 at a time and they last a lifetime.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just make sure whatever you use that it is Potassium Alum and not Ammonia Alum.

Go online to Tulumba. They sell Alum Blocks cheap. I usually buy about 10 at a time and they last a lifetime.

What would be the downside if it was ammonia alum?

Originally Posted by brooksie967

Correct me if i'm wrong but the "thai" deodorant rocks are labeled as 'alum' and are a mineral salt. You can get these at most natural food/health stores for under $8. Someone chime in and verify if it's the same material as 'alum' for shaving??

Yes it's the same stuff, at least the one that I bought. Check the label though. I threw away my plastic cover / label long ago as it served no purpose so unfortunately I can't tell you the brand, but as I remember it was a common brand that I bought at the local Whole Foods. As to the ammonium or potassium alum difference debate, I've always been suspicious that there is a real difference. Supposedly potassium alum is less harsh. Anyone here ever tried them both and can verify this?

I buy the ones labeled "Thai". Also a few places are saying very similar things: Most popular natural deodorants in that aisle are the Crystal Deodorant Stones and sprays. A traditional body deodorant made from natural mineral salts usually including potassium or ammonium alum. These minerals are non-toxic and have molecules too large to pass through the skin – nothing is absorbed into the body that could cause disease or an allergic reaction and they do not leave behind any noticeable residue on skin or clothing.

Potassium alum, potash alum or tawas is the potassium double sulfate of aluminium. Its chemical formula is KAl(SO4)2 and it is commonly found in its dodecahydrate form as KAl(SO4)2·12(H2O). Alum is the common name for this chemical compound, given the nomenclature of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate. It is commonly used in water purification, leather tanning, dyeing, fireproof textiles, and baking powder[citation needed]. It also has cosmetic uses as a deodorant, as an aftershave treatment and as a styptic for minor bleeding from shaving.

Ammonium alum is not a major industrial chemical or a particularly useful laboratory reagent, but it is inexpensive and nontoxic, which invites many niche applications. It is used in water purification, in vegetable glues, in porcelain cements, in deodorants and in tanning, dyeing and in fireproofing textiles.[4] The pH of the solution resulting from the topical application of ammonium alum with perspiration is typically in the slightly acid range, from 4 to 5.[5]

Ammonium alum is a common ingredient in animal repellant sprays.[6][7][8]

Looks to me like they'd both be pretty safe, no?

Consider using less pressure. It sounds like you just started DE shaving and it takes awhile to get used to the tool. Using pressure to get a closer shave is common with carts, but is useless will a DE as all you get are cuts and razor burn. I use post shave products also, but most irritation can be reduced by using less pressure. Good shaving.

Originally Posted by KyLund

So I've been using the DE my wife got me for Christmas and I'm having all kinds of irritation on my neck. This isn't a new thing since it has happened since my first ever shave.

So my question is this: is there an alum block recommended for sensitive skin? I read that it could help. I use Nivea sensitive skin aftershave but it doesn't do anything about the irritating bumps after the shave. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Seems like you got some pretty good advice from here. I had a similar problem when I started I wasn't keeping a good angle with my skin and I kept on getting the same razor rash as you. Once I worked on my angle it went completely away

Originally Posted by gcbryan

Is there any place local to get alum blocks? I never see them in my local drug stores.

Try the following web site.

amazon.com

and search for Bloc Osma Natural Alum Block. On the right side of the screen you will see a link to "Deals for Salons" under "More Buying Choices".

There it costs $7.62 with free shipping. I ordered one but haven't received it yet. I understand it's a bit small in size but it should last a long time unless you drop it on the floor or don't allow it to dry out between uses. Also the smallness of size allows for better maneuverability around one's face.

Best

Peter