Alum Block VS Deodorant

**blackfoot** · 02-26-2009, 02:16 PM

I have never heard of this before but will definitely give it a go. Thank you!

**Ferannia** · 02-26-2009, 02:42 PM

I am thinking of acquiring a block like this as soon as I finish my current aftershave, and try to use it as an aftershave and for armpits. Nothing fancy like roll ons or sticks.

**sapito318** · 02-26-2009, 03:12 PM

I too have been wanting to purchase that GFT one. I recently aquired a DOVO brand which is in the mail. I will likely get another, hopefully the GFT, and use that as aftershave while I get rid of my roll on from Walgreens and use the other block for the pits.

**Boyextraordinare** · 02-27-2009, 01:09 AM

I just bought a CVS-variety one: two were available, one by a brand by Crystal, the other by Naturally, which is the one I bought.

They have the same active ingredient - but this one had aloe. Just tried it after a shower.

I usually shave my pits but haven't lately so I have the capacity to smell; I'll report my findings.

**knlgskr** · 02-27-2009, 01:47 AM

I shave my underarms and use Crystal alum products. I do not have any odor problems. Good stuff.

Richard

**Boyextraordinare** · 02-27-2009, 02:07 AM

What's the difference between potassium alum and ammonium alum?

**SepticTank** · 02-27-2009, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by sapito318

There is a phosphorous alum and aluminium alum.

Never heard of phosphorus alum - in fact it can't exist since alums are double sulphate salts of a monovalent cation and a trivalent metal cation - since phosphorus the element is neither it can't be in an alum...

The two alums commonly made for cosmetic purposes are potassium (aluminium) alum and ammonium (aluminium) Alum - other alums are available (chemically) but I don't think I want to rub ammonium iron alum on my face or underarms

**Hando** · 02-27-2009, 03:09 AM

i use this

http://www.pitrok.co.uk/push.html

and it is Ammonium Alum whereas Alum Blocs tend to be Potassium

i take this deodorant to the gym and use it both on my face after shaving and as a deodorant, the only thing i've noticed is that it stings more than an Alum Bloc if you use it in nicks and cuts

i can see this crystal outlasting me!

**Boyextraordinare** · 02-27-2009, 03:46 AM

That's what I noticed. I'm a little disappointed because I wanted to use it as an AS as well...

Ammonium alum was all the drugstores carried...

Is there a significant difference between the two? Are they drying in the way splash AS can be?

I'm very intrigued. All I've noticed so far is it's absolutely non-irritating and very salty.

**Oldhope** · 02-27-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by mcblue

I don't know about that. The product I pasted above is crystal, not a roll-on/liquid.

For some reason the second paragraph in the product description you linked to started talking about roll-ons, even thought the product says hard stick, so I got confused. There are crystal deoderants where the crystal has already been dissolved into a liquid which you then roll on or spray on, but I doubt they are as economical as the blocks. Also, I have to wonder how much of a pure crystal block it can be if it has Aloe in it? The aloe didn't grow there naturally, surely.

Anyway, one of the sites I searched about the Thai crystals said they were Potassium Alum.

**Oldhope** · 02-27-2009, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ferannia

I am thinking of acquiring a block like this as soon as I finish my current aftershave, and try to use it as an aftershave and for armpits. Nothing fancy like roll ons or sticks.

Thai makes a pure block as well, and you get a large 5 oz block for less than a lot of smaller blocks go for.

http://www.amazon.com/Deodorant-Ston...5755855&sr=1-3

**adamant** · 02-27-2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by sapito318

I have been using an alum block purchased from Walgreens for some time, and must say that I have had zero irritation, and enough odor control to get me through the day. It absolutely MUST be applied to clean skin though, else it's uses are diminished.

Well, there are two types of this. There is a phosphorous alum and aluminium alum. Both work well, but the phosphorous is more desirable due to it not having aluminium. The primary benefit of an alum block is the lack of additional chemicals. You could put an alum block to most of your body without irritation. Try that with Right Guard! This is definitely better for your skin than regular deodorant, as this does not stop your natural release of odor, but simply controls it. Deodorant sticks such as right guard prevent you from sweating, which IMO is not something the body likes. Just like medical birth control: The female body is not meant to think and act as if it is pregnant 3/4 of the month.

Sorry for the rant, just had to get it out of me

I think that you are thinking of Ammonium Alum (Ammonium is unrelated to aluminum, but is the conjugate acid to ammonia). Alum, even potassium alum still contains Aluminum (hence "Alum"). Potassium Alum:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum

I'm not saying that this is necessarily bad, but if you are avoiding Aluminum, Alum isn't the answer. On another note, Alum is used in water treatment, as well as baking soda. So you'd need to go to great lengths to stay away from Aluminum completely. Oh yeah, you are going to be getting a dose of aluminum from every canned drink, not much but more than nothing.

**RichGem** · 02-27-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Boyextraordinare

That's what I noticed. I'm a little disappointed because I wanted to use it as an AS as well...

Ammonium alum was all the drugstores carried...

Is there a significant difference between the two? Are they drying in the way splash AS can be?

I'm very intrigued. All I've noticed so far is it's absolutely non-irritating and very salty.

Not as far as function is concerned (chemically, yes there is a difference). Both are alum and both are suitable for post-shave or for the "pits." In my experience, the potassium form works a bit better on my pits, but that's entirely subjective.

**brumble** · 02-27-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Boyextraordinare

That's what I noticed. I'm a little disappointed because I wanted to use it as an AS as well...

Ammonium alum was all the drugstores carried...

Is there a significant difference between the two? Are they drying in the way splash AS can be?

I'm very intrigued. All I've noticed so far is it's absolutely non-irritating and very salty.

Originally Posted by Hando

i use this

http://www.pitrok.co.uk/push.html

and it is Ammonium Alum whereas Alum Blocs tend to be Potassium

i take this deodorant to the gym and use it both on my face after shaving and as a deodorant, the only thing i've noticed is that it stings more than an Alum Bloc if you use it in nicks and cuts

i can see this crystal outlasting me!

I've got both types of alum but I haven't tried to use either as a deodorant. I usually run one over my face after shaving and I don't find it drying. It can sting on razor burn, but overall I find that it soothes, or cools, my face and feels like it tightens my skin.

I find the Ammonium Alum to be 'stronger': the Ammonium Alum seems to cool and tighten more, it also stings more on cuts and scrapes and seals cuts/nicks quicker than Potassium Alum.

Where I live, Ammonium Alum is easier to find but much more expensive than Potassium Alum. Best, cheapest source of Potassium Alum I've found is to search Indian grocery stores where you'll often find a block for a couple dollars.

**RichGem** · 02-27-2009, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by adamant

I think that you are thinking of Ammonium Alum (Ammonium is unrelated to aluminum, but is the conjugate acid to ammonia). Alum, even potassium alum still contains Aluminum (hence "Alum"). Potassium Alum:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum

I'm not saying that this is necessarily bad, but if you are avoiding Aluminum, Alum isn't the answer. On another note, Alum is used in water treatment, as well as baking soda. So you'd need to go to great lengths to stay away from Aluminum completely. Oh yeah, you are going to be getting a dose of aluminum from every canned drink, not much but more than nothing.

The claim being made is that alum is safe b/c the aluminum molecule in alum is too big to penetrated the skin vs. the aluminum molecule used in regular deo/anti-persp which could penetrate. Thus, making the alum "safe"... personally, I think the link between aluminum and alzheimer's is not a causal one, but more research needs to be done (and I don't intend to start a debate).

**adamant** · 02-27-2009, 10:42 AM

Yeah, I wasn't saying it was necessarily bad, but that it wasn't aluminum free as some people assumed. Chemically the conjugated molecules can be significant as you've said. For a more extreme example, a drop of methyl mercury will pass through gloves and skin and has enough mercury to kill you. Though it will be long and painful over about 8 months.
frightening

While elemental mercury can be (relatively) safely handled without protection.

Originally Posted by RichGem

The claim being made is that alum is safe b/c the aluminum molecule in alum is too big to penetrated the skin vs. the aluminum molecule used in regular deo/anti-persp which could penetrate. Thus, making the alum "safe"... personally, I think the link between aluminum and alzheimer's is not a causal one, but more research needs to be done (and I don't intend to start a debate).

**SepticTank** · 02-27-2009, 10:45 AM

I sure hope my aluminium ladders aren't going to give me... er..... I've forgotten now... who are you? where am I?

**RichGem** · 02-27-2009, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by SepticTank

I sure hope my aluminium ladders aren't going to give me... er..... I've forgotten now... who are you? where am I?

Only if you rub them on your armpits, in which case, you've got bigger problems than the aluminum.

**rabidpotatochip** · 02-27-2009, 11:10 AM

I like alum over deodorant because it doesn't leave residue. I find the liquid stuff much easier to apply than the solid, but the solid stuff is a good investment. Because the liquid is easier to apply I had the best results with it, but I'm fairly proficient at using the solid stuff now.

If you're making the switch from antiperspirant you will go through a phase where the alum isn't very effective at the start. I'm not sure if this is a result of your body adjusting or the time it takes to wash off residue from other products, but once you get through that it's great stuff.

Another option to consider is a thick (almost dry) paste of baking soda and water. Take a small amount and rub it in under each arm. It gives the best results I've ever had but it's a bit of work to apply.

**Skidoo161** · 02-27-2009, 11:57 AM

I can't seem to determine from this thread. Is an alum block for shaving the same as an alum block for your arm pit? Can you own one and use it for both?

My next question is What about guys will well... relatively thick hair in there arm pits. Is an alum block still effective? Can one be used without shaving ones armpit?