Is a "Deodorant Crystal" an Alum bar?

[anarchyburger]

Hi folks! I noticed my "Deodorant" says it contains Natural mineral salts(Potassium Alum). Is this what the bars are made of, or are they pure alum, minus the potassium? Hope someone can answer this, thanks in advance!

[reeffanatic]

I'm not sure if they are the same, but I have been using my alum bar as a deodorant for two days now and it works great.

[shotcaller]

Yep! Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum
under 'Uses'.

Jimmy

[Mr.Benn]

The deodorant crystals are a type of alum, but they're a different type of alum than the blocks intended for shaving. The deodorant crystals are usually ammonium alum, whereas the shaving blocks are typically potassium alum.

Guarav can likely expound further, but I believe potassium alum has the more profound hemostatic/astringent properties that wetshavers appreciate.

[Sue]

Gee, don't you rub the alum bar on the shaved area of your face? Surely it can't be the same as deodorant is it? Heck, who'd want to kiss a guys armpit? Or a face of deodorant?

Woman leaning in to kiss his cheek.
Hhmm, "What's that you're wearing?" ...... "Mennen Speed Stick."

Sue

[anarchyburger]

Thanks for that wiki link, I think I've gotta try this thing out. According to the label, the one and only ingredient in it is potassium alum. Next time I'm at the whole foods store I'll pick up a fresh bar. It's only 5-6 bucks for 90 grams. I like the fact it's all self contained in a plastic package. I hope it works out. I'll keep ya posted.
-Jeremiah

[Stauff]

Didn't folks in the nineteenth century already use alum as deodorant? Or was that talcum?