Alum block question

**STJ529** · 06-19-2012, 04:15 AM

I recently ordered my first alum block. I noticed that some people like to just rub it on and leave it, but others rinse it off. Why do people do that?

**the_edski** · 06-19-2012, 04:17 AM

If you leave it on, it has a tendency to itch, block your pores and sometimes leave white residue. Once you get your block, I would say leave it on one time and rinse it off another and see what you like better.

**Stevew443** · 06-19-2012, 04:17 AM

I rinse it off because if I don't then my face will begin to itch badly in about 3 hours after applying it.

**Renato1** · 06-19-2012, 06:46 AM

I started off disliking alum, but now I just leave it on, and half the time don't get around to putting any aftershave balm on.

I have had one episode of white powder forming on my face after I put something else on over the unrinsed alum.
Regards,
Renato

**Gam** · 06-19-2012, 09:43 AM

I rinse it off because of the itch.

**Krona Kruiser** · 06-19-2012, 09:44 AM

Love the alum. But I rinse it off. It would burn my face leaving it on after. Besides, I like to use a nice aftershave splash after rinsing the alum off.

**dfigz** · 06-19-2012, 09:46 AM

It starts to dry and itch ... I leave it on for maybe two minutes then wash off.

**drocu** · 06-19-2012, 09:50 AM

Huh, I never realized it would leave my skin itchy. Maybe that's why a portion of my face is a tad bit itchy right now.

I usually rinse with cold water, rub with alum block, and then splash with Witch Hazel. I do sometimes get a dry residue leftover but if it's bad, I'll use some ASB afterwards.

**roklein** · 06-19-2012, 09:55 AM

I leave it on and splash AS over it. I never experienced the itch. That works for me.

**BigBull** · 06-19-2012, 10:01 AM

Some companies claim "won't leave a residue"...who knows, but it may depend on what you bought. I have never had to "wash" it off, but I apply Witch Hazel after it dries.

**Retiredgene** · 06-19-2012, 11:29 AM

For me - the alum does its job of tightening up my skin and most important, tells me where I may have had some technique, blade / brush / lather issues, on for about one minute.

Then I rinse it off with cold water, put on WH, ASB (Nivea, Kiehl's etc) and the selected AS of the day and out & about for the day

Gene

**mandoman** · 06-19-2012, 11:55 AM

thanks for the info i received my first alum block yesterday thought you had to leave it in like the box said and now i know

**Scottyb06** · 06-19-2012, 12:42 PM

I leave it on for five minutes (and then focus on other things in the morning) and then return to the sink to rinse it off and apply some balm...

**Leopold Bloom** · 06-19-2012, 07:44 PM

Does it come off easy enough with cold water?

After a shower (Always stay in too long) my skin is dryer than Ghandi's flip flop, and I apply an oudourless alcohol free moisturiser all over my face post shave, it would seem counterproductive to smear the Alum bloack all over then put moisturiser on afterwards? I presume the Alum would win the battle overall over the day.

**Rschan** · 06-20-2012, 06:59 AM

What is the best brand of Alum?
Some Turkish and Indian sellers at bay have them for very cheap prices!!

**BigBull** · 06-20-2012, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Rschan

What is the best brand of Alum?
Some Turkish and Indian sellers at bay have them for very cheap prices!!

There are basically two types of Alum...ammonium and potassium. Read more here.

**Zerandise** · 06-30-2012, 09:41 PM

What a great bit of info. Thanks for asking a great question I had not thought of yet and for all the great answers. I will be getting my block tomorrow and would have left it on. With my sensitive skin it sounds like it would have been murder.

**Qhead** · 07-01-2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Zerandise

What a great bit of info. Thanks for asking a great question I had not thought of yet and for all the great answers. I will be getting my block tomorrow and would have left it on. With my sensitive skin it sounds like it would have been murder.

Yes I think the better practice is to wash it off. I used to leave it on and it did not itch but it seems better to wash off then use witch hazel or AS. Enjoy the alum. It should last a long time!

**catherix** · 07-01-2012, 02:00 PM

I'd been wondering if the alum comes before the witch hazel or the other way around. Sounds like alum, rinse, witch hazel. Which is what I was doing. Good guess I suppose.

**shaverjoe** · 07-01-2012, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by catherix

I'd been wondering if the alum comes before the witch hazel or the other way around. Sounds like alum, rinse, witch hazel. Which is what I was doing. Good guess I suppose.

You are correct. Rinse, alum, rinse, WH.