Alum block on the way (along with Speick ASL and Musgo Real ASL).
The Alum Block?
- Thread starter Little Blade
- Start date
$20 for an alum block is just retarded, but that's AOS for ya...those guys are rip-off artist extraordinaires. Unless it's like a Kg size block, you don't need to pay more than $2 for alum if you know where to look. I picked up several bars of a brand called Royal at an Indian grocery, same size as my Shavex bar, and same as the AOS size bar, and it was $.79 each. It is exactly the same as the Shavex bar, doesn't have the nifty and handy plastic case, but performs and appears identical in every way. The more you pay for an alum bar, (hopefully) the purer it is, but it's a natural mineral salt, and no two bars are completely identical, but like I said...no difference betwen these two. They even taste the same, lol.
There is a difference in alum/mineral salts for use on your face and as a deodorant however. What you want to avoid is one of the crystal deodorants (and indeed an alum bar used on your face) that contains aluminum chlorohydrate, which is used as an antiperspirant. Here's why:
"If an aluminum compound, such as aluminum chlorhydrate or aluminum zirconium, which is very soluble, is used as an antiperspirant, that compound is readily absorbed. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum (Al+++). This passes freely across cell membranes, and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow. It is this concentration of aluminum that has been the source of concern in the medical community and has prompted the research being done on ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and BREAST CANCER victims. Potassium alum molecules have a negative ionic charge, making it unable to pass through the cell wall. THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED. This is why our deodorants are safe to use and will not cause high levels of ALUMINUM in your system. ALUM and ALUMINUM are two different substances, with distinct chemical signatures. They possess different chemical properties which create different chemical attributes." (source)
Also, there's always confusion about using alum "to seal up cuts and nicks" and how people use it as a styptic...these are actually two different things (although they both are astringent). Styptic pencils contain aluminium sulfate or potassium aluminium sulfate, but if you want to use alum stricktly as an aftershave treatment to kill bacteria, reduce irritation and redness, and to act as an astringent, you want one made strictly from potassium alum.
Hope that helps.
There is a difference in alum/mineral salts for use on your face and as a deodorant however. What you want to avoid is one of the crystal deodorants (and indeed an alum bar used on your face) that contains aluminum chlorohydrate, which is used as an antiperspirant. Here's why:
"If an aluminum compound, such as aluminum chlorhydrate or aluminum zirconium, which is very soluble, is used as an antiperspirant, that compound is readily absorbed. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum (Al+++). This passes freely across cell membranes, and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow. It is this concentration of aluminum that has been the source of concern in the medical community and has prompted the research being done on ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and BREAST CANCER victims. Potassium alum molecules have a negative ionic charge, making it unable to pass through the cell wall. THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED. This is why our deodorants are safe to use and will not cause high levels of ALUMINUM in your system. ALUM and ALUMINUM are two different substances, with distinct chemical signatures. They possess different chemical properties which create different chemical attributes." (source)
Also, there's always confusion about using alum "to seal up cuts and nicks" and how people use it as a styptic...these are actually two different things (although they both are astringent). Styptic pencils contain aluminium sulfate or potassium aluminium sulfate, but if you want to use alum stricktly as an aftershave treatment to kill bacteria, reduce irritation and redness, and to act as an astringent, you want one made strictly from potassium alum.
Hope that helps.
I picked up an Alum block about 2 weeks ago and use it every day now. I went on a short trip and brought it along.
Would this be available from Walgreens, or your local large unnamed discount Supercenter, or will I be online shopping. Any suggestions for a newbie?
I live out in the country and specialty shops are far and few between.
I live out in the country and specialty shops are far and few between.
I imagine in your neck of the woods Indian grocery stores are hard to find, lol. I've never seen alum available at walgreens or the like, but you can probably find the crystal deodorant stuff. It's not the same, strictly speaking though.
Your best bet is online, but you'll want to a) find it cheap (shaving sites will charge premiums, being that its a "boutique" item) and b) probably pick up other items along the way.
Tell ya what, nooblet (lol) - shoot me your address, and I can send you a block. Save your money for creams, soaps, blades, etc.
Your best bet is online, but you'll want to a) find it cheap (shaving sites will charge premiums, being that its a "boutique" item) and b) probably pick up other items along the way.
Tell ya what, nooblet (lol) - shoot me your address, and I can send you a block. Save your money for creams, soaps, blades, etc.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but even after vigorous rinsing after using my block I find that if I then apply aftershave lotion or proraso pre/post, it seems to coagulate on my skin. Anyone else have this experience?
Love my alum block and like others have posted it gives you the result of your shave but also leaves your skin nice and tight and any weepers vanish, great stuff that lasts for ages, i paid £8.00 for mine but have now seen them in indian stores for £1.
I've been using an alum block for a couple months and, along with witch hazel, is something that my routine will never be without. A little burn, but never anything tremendous as I've seen some people describe, you can literally feel your pores puckering up as you massage the block into your face. I'm extremely surprised these aren't more widely known or available, six months ago I'd never heard of an alum block.
It has also done wonders as an acne fighter too. Used in conjunction with WH and my DE razor, it has helped clear my face up a TON compared to when I was using acne treatments alone. Also seems to do wonders as it keeps my face from perspiring nearly as much (or at least it seems to have, may just be in my head).
It has also done wonders as an acne fighter too. Used in conjunction with WH and my DE razor, it has helped clear my face up a TON compared to when I was using acne treatments alone. Also seems to do wonders as it keeps my face from perspiring nearly as much (or at least it seems to have, may just be in my head).
The alum block is my best discovery since DE shaving. The alcohol aftershaves dried my face too much, and an alum block is the perfect compromise. It has also helped with my acne a lot. I use it over my whole face after shaving and after washing my face at night. Love it.
That's the spirit!
I couldn't imagine paying that much. I wouldn't think the extra $10+ for an alum block with an AOS sticker makes it work much better then this one I use (Link).
I got it some time ago and love it! Don't know how I survived without it all these years.
One of the most overlooked uses for an alum block is something I learned from a member on a similar thread.
It is invaluable for stretching the skin to ensure a very close shave.
Without it your fingers just slide across your face, just wet your fingertips and rub them on the alum block then start stretching.
Even if there is some soap or cream left in the area your fingers will not slip.
My shave has improved 100 percent since learning this trick.
It is invaluable for stretching the skin to ensure a very close shave.
Without it your fingers just slide across your face, just wet your fingertips and rub them on the alum block then start stretching.
Even if there is some soap or cream left in the area your fingers will not slip.
My shave has improved 100 percent since learning this trick.
One of the most overlooked uses for an alum block is something I learned from a member on a similar thread.
It is invaluable for stretching the skin to ensure a very close shave.
Without it your fingers just slide across your face, just wet your fingertips and rub them on the alum block then start stretching.
Even if there is some soap or cream left in the area your fingers will not slip.
My shave has improved 100 percent since learning this trick.
Thanks for the great tip. I will try this tomorrow morning!
M
MegaTRossi
Hey Lads,
My first post here!!
I've been shaving with a DE for about 7 years now and have been Loving it. It is a far far far cry from the old Sensor I used to use! I just recently started to hear about using an alum block after shaving and think I might try one. I can't usually find any places locally that stock good shaving supplies so I end up purchasing online or making a trip to London to stock up. How long does a block of alum usually last? Would you go through one about the same time you go through a tub of shaving cream? I just want to get an idea of how many blocks I should be thinking about for my next re-stock.
Cheers
My first post here!!
I've been shaving with a DE for about 7 years now and have been Loving it. It is a far far far cry from the old Sensor I used to use! I just recently started to hear about using an alum block after shaving and think I might try one. I can't usually find any places locally that stock good shaving supplies so I end up purchasing online or making a trip to London to stock up. How long does a block of alum usually last? Would you go through one about the same time you go through a tub of shaving cream? I just want to get an idea of how many blocks I should be thinking about for my next re-stock.Cheers
Not sure if there's a difference, but just in case, I found a pit stick that is potassium alum. It's called Lafes Natural and Organic. I got it a Sunflower Market, if you have those. I haven't tried it on my face yet, since I have a regular block for that. This stuff is an excellent deodorant, by the way.
