Rinse after Alum Bar

[Tonyg]

I have read where some people rinse off after the post-shave application of an Alum Bar...........I apply the Alum with cold water immediately after shaving and let it dry, leaving it the rest of the day without rinsing it off. On the days when I don't use the Alum, I use an aftershave Balm (Kiehl's) or aftershave. Is there any harm leaving the Alum to dry without rinsing it off?

[BroJohn]

I usually rinse. The Alum will gum up most A/S Balms. Don't know why, it just does, so I rinse.

-- John Gehman

[harman]

I don't think there's any harm in leaving it on your face, but there's no need for leaving it on. And yeah it might not mix well with any aftershave you might use. I always rinse it off.

[jpkunst]

I rinse it off because it leaves a white powdery residue on my face if I don't.

[ScottyD]

I apply the alum between my warm water rinse and the cold water rinse.

[JaxShooter]

I rinse it off because it leaves a white powdery residue on my face if I don't.

Same here. I didn't realize it one day until I was embarrassed after a co-worker pointed it out.

[Poulin]

I always rinse off alum. I use alum for about 99% of my shaves.

After rinsing off left over lather after a shave, I wet the block with cold water and then rub it around on my face, I then rinse out my brush and lather bowl and razor and put them away... by that time it works out well if I rinse the alum off my face with cool/cold water and then pat dry before applying AS Balm.

[HairyUK]

^ That's the same as my post-shave routine. I have found it to be very effective for controlling razor bumps and ingrown hairs, which used to give me trouble.

[jpkunst]

Same here. I didn't realize it one day until I was embarrassed after a co-worker pointed it out.

That's how I found out as well! (20 years ago.)

[ex-bugonaut]

If you examine the dish where you store the alum block you'll see a fine granular/crystalline residue which is the precipitate of the alum. You probalby don't want that hanging onto your face all day. I rinse w/cold water & then apply Thayer's Original Witch Hazel w/Aloe (the low-alcohol type, just for the pleasurable feeling of it) & then apply aftershave balm. As always to each his own.