More Amazing Alum

[RichGem]

I have occasional outbreaks of adult acne... nothing major, just a few pimples over my eyebrows and/or at my hairline from time to time. Getting tired of smearing goop on my face daily, I decided to experiment with alum on the theory that the same mineral salt that keeps my pits from stinking (kills bacteria) might do the same for my acne.

Two weeks into it, I can report that my skin is clearing nicely and no outbreaks seem to be on the horizon.

Has anyone else tried this? What were your results?

[jkh]

Richard,

Very interesting. How have you been using the alum block for the last two weeks? Are you applying the alum block to your face after you wash it at night? Or are you using as a post shave and just reaping the results of the alum goodness?

[RichGem]

Richard,

Very interesting. How have you been using the alum block for the last two weeks? Are you applying the alum block to your face after you wash it at night? Or are you using as a post shave and just reaping the results of the alum goodness?


I've been using it for the last 2 weeks or so and just apply after my shower and shave. I prolly should try it at night too, but so far, good results with just 1x/day.

[soapbox]

Neat! I may try this.

Now back to the fruity umbrella drinks with you, you're supposed to be on vacation!

[SepticTank]

A question for the Alum kings....

Are all blocks of Potassium Alum more or less equal? (As a lapsed chemist I'd have thought so)

I ask as I see them advertised at everything from GBP0.55 to GBP12 (yes it really is a 20x difference) for 100g block...

Actually I might just buy a kilogram of powder and grow my own lol

[soapbox]

A question for the Alum kings....

Are all blocks of Potassium Alum more or less equal? (As a lapsed chemist I'd have thought so)

I ask as I see them advertised at everything from GBP0.55 to GBP12 (yes it really is a 20x difference) for 100g block...


I think that they're all more or less equal. Perhaps some have fewer impurities?

Actually I might just buy a kilogram of powder and grow my own lol

I found a bar at a local South Asian market for $1.25. I haven't used it yet, but I bet it stings the same as the 'nicer' one I picked up online...

If you grow your own crystals, please post pictures! That's awesome. :w00t:

[SepticTank]

Growing crystals was something we did in primary school - and I'm pretty sure we used Potash Alum - I still talk to my teacher from the time and he has a photographic memory.

I'll be off to the Indian Grocers in a minute - there may be some Alum blocks for sale later :tongue:

[soapbox]

Growing crystals was something we did in primary school - and I'm pretty sure we used Potash Alum - I still talk to my teacher from the time and he has a photographic memory.

I'll be off to the Indian Grocers in a minute - there may be some Alum blocks for sale later :tongue:

Yeah, but shipping from Scotland will be a bitch! :001_rolle

[SepticTank]

All the other stuff I've posted to far-flung civilised-ish parts of the world (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, US) have been delivered within a week.

[CelticRaven]

A question for the Alum kings....

Are all blocks of Potassium Alum more or less equal? (As a lapsed chemist I'd have thought so)

I ask as I see them advertised at everything from GBP0.55 to GBP12 (yes it really is a 20x difference) for 100g block...

Actually I might just buy a kilogram of powder and grow my own lol

Through a series of strange events I ended up with 3 alum blocks in a period of 4 weeks..... However, one was from Art of Shaving, was from from Taylors, and one was generic. All 3 came in an identical plastic case, with a lot number printed on the back from what looks to be a print on plastic assembly line dot matrix printer. The only difference I have found in them, the AOS has a sticker on the plactic case and came in a pretty box cardboard box, the Taylor only came in the pretty cardboard box, and the generic only has the plastic case with no other markings.... I am going to lean toward all three of these came out of the same factory....

[soapbox]

Through a series of strange events I ended up with 3 alum blocks in a period of 4 weeks..... However, one was from Art of Shaving, was from from Taylors, and one was generic. All 3 came in an identical plastic case, with a lot number printed on the back from what looks to be a print on plastic assembly line dot matrix printer. The only difference I have found in them, the AOS has a sticker on the plactic case and came in a pretty box cardboard box, the Taylor only came in the pretty cardboard box, and the generic only has the plastic case with no other markings.... I am going to lean toward all three of these came out of the same factory....

The cheapie block I bought was wrapped in cellophane, and is a different size from the AOS/generic one that I think you're using. Still, $1.25 -- how could I resist? I was looking for Godrej cream, and thought "why not?"

[SepticTank]

The indian grocery order arrived! :biggrin:

My initial view looking at these and looking at the "expensive" ones is that the bars are more 'fractured' - made up of a large number of smaller crystals rather than what appeared to be larger crystals. As a result they're a bit cloudier than the "posh" ones.

Also got some alum powder to try and grow my own - which I'll do later in the autumn.

[soapbox]

The indian grocery order arrived! :biggrin:

My initial view looking at these and looking at the "expensive" ones is that the bars are more 'fractured' - made up of a large number of smaller crystals rather than what appeared to be larger crystals. As a result they're a bit cloudier than the "posh" ones.

I noticed that my 'cheap' alum block was fractured in spots. Meh, it will still work, but perhaps that's another difference (or perhaps it's poor packing and shipping).

Also got some alum powder to try and grow my own - which I'll do later in the autumn.

I can't wait to see the results!

[SepticTank]

I noticed that my 'cheap' alum block was fractured in spots. Meh, it will still work, but perhaps that's another difference (or perhaps it's poor packing and shipping).

Is it $20 worth of difference? I think not.

I can't wait to see the results!

I hope it works out lol.

[zenon]

Depending on the block, I have found that some leave more residue than others. FOr instance, the Shavex block leaves no residue, whereas some of the cheaper ones may be more powdery white/opaque, and leave a powdery residue.

[soapbox]

Depending on the block, I have found that some leave more residue than others. FOr instance, the Shavex block leaves no residue, whereas some of the cheaper ones may be more powdery white/opaque, and leave a powdery residue.

Interesting observation. I haven't tried the cheapie block yet, so I'll do that soon and report back. Cool, thanks!

[AverageJoe]

Glad it worked for you. I can't say I notice any difference in any way when I use alum. Some plain old drug store witch hazel followed by a good AS is best for me.