Is using both alum and witch hazel after a shave redundant or overkill? If I understand it correctly, they both kind of do the same thing (outside of stopping bleeding) so I thought it was one of those "one or the other" kind of things.
Alum and/or witch hazel?
- Thread starter mikelz777
- Start date
I don't know that I have the 'right' answer for you; however, I have a reply for you...
I personally use both most times...Upon my final pass, I hot rinse, cold rinse, apply alum stick with damp cold face, clean up a bit, then dry face, then apply witch hazel with Aloe...
I use alum to nip any weepers in the tail and the witch hazel w/Aloe to 'condition' a bit prior to applying any AS or ASB (sometimes both)
I have a propensity to stack products quite a bit post shave...some may disagree with my methodology, but I like it...
There you have it, I think you could successfully use one, the other, or both...depends on what you like I should think.
Cheers,
Mark
I personally use both most times...Upon my final pass, I hot rinse, cold rinse, apply alum stick with damp cold face, clean up a bit, then dry face, then apply witch hazel with Aloe...
I use alum to nip any weepers in the tail and the witch hazel w/Aloe to 'condition' a bit prior to applying any AS or ASB (sometimes both)
I have a propensity to stack products quite a bit post shave...some may disagree with my methodology, but I like it...
There you have it, I think you could successfully use one, the other, or both...depends on what you like I should think.
Cheers,
Mark
I use a styptic pencil (which I understand is alum anyways) for weepers as soon as I spot them, and witch hazel at the end of a shave to stop any I didn't see, as well as for the disinfectant properties. I think alum mostly stops bleeding and doesn't so much disinfect.
Both are fine to use, but i just use witch hazel as it is less harsh for me. i just use alum for nicks and cuts!
I use alum if I have weepers, witch-hazel if I don't.
Both are astringent, but alum has disinfectant properties (why it's effective as a deodorant) and promotes clotting, while witch-hazel is known to be soothing to irritated or bruised skin.
They do slightly different things so you can use them them together - if the alum stings too much the witch-hazel will soothe it.
Both are astringent, but alum has disinfectant properties (why it's effective as a deodorant) and promotes clotting, while witch-hazel is known to be soothing to irritated or bruised skin.
They do slightly different things so you can use them them together - if the alum stings too much the witch-hazel will soothe it.
I own both a large Alum "rock" and a bottle of witch hazel.
BUT....
I use neither.
I keep a styptic pencil in a drawer to touch any places that might bleed.
Only need to use it every other once in a while but when I need it I NEED IT
You could also get by with a small spice jar of ground or powdered Alum which you can find at any grocery store spice isle
BUT....
I use neither.
I keep a styptic pencil in a drawer to touch any places that might bleed.
Only need to use it every other once in a while but when I need it I NEED IT
You could also get by with a small spice jar of ground or powdered Alum which you can find at any grocery store spice isle
+1 - nicely stated, Mark.
An exception for me is I do not use a face cloth with my alum and I alternate a Thayer's Rose Petal WH (non alcohol) with a Family Dollar generic unscented WH (14% alcohol). I have found that when any kind of shave issue arose, i.e. new blade not working out, blade angle off, shave cream / soap / brush lather not the best etc, this process just seems to keep all facial irritation at bay.
Gene
I have both and rotate depending on mood. I find that it is easier to apply the alum on my freshly rinsed face than WH.
I found alum to be too drying for my skin so I use WH exclusively. But there is no right answer - just what works for you.
I use WH exclusively,No burn and it soothes my face. That's just me YMMV You have some replies with "stacking" products or using one or the other but you have to use what works best with your skin. As with any product i research the ingredients and if i feel my skin can accept it i still use a small amount to see if any irritation sets in. Sorry to be long winded but having sensitive skin and having had skin irritation from some products i advise anyone with sensitive skin to use a small amount when trying anything new.
Difference between styptic pencil and alum block (from an earlier B&B threat, posted by Attila):
"A styptic pencil is a tool used for targeting and cosmetically eliminating small cuts and nicks from shaving. The pencil work by applying some form of alum, usually aluminum sulfate, or titanium dioxide to the wound, which when introduced to the blood causes the vessels to contract which stops the bleed and removes the cut visually. The cut is still there but it doesn't bleed and isn't red since blood-flow to that particular area is constricted. Styptics tend to be more aggressive than alum blocks due to the difference in the active substance (aluminum sulfate vs. aluminum potassium sulfate)."
"A styptic pencil is a tool used for targeting and cosmetically eliminating small cuts and nicks from shaving. The pencil work by applying some form of alum, usually aluminum sulfate, or titanium dioxide to the wound, which when introduced to the blood causes the vessels to contract which stops the bleed and removes the cut visually. The cut is still there but it doesn't bleed and isn't red since blood-flow to that particular area is constricted. Styptics tend to be more aggressive than alum blocks due to the difference in the active substance (aluminum sulfate vs. aluminum potassium sulfate)."
If you like both, use both! It's certainly not hurting anything. I for one, love witch hazel, and tend to use a WH based aftershave splash. I use a styptic pencil only for true cuts I sometimes slip into with my straights.
+1 This is the way I use Alum and witch hazel--seldom do I need to use Alum, which makes witch hazel a daily post-shave product for me. In fact, I put witch hazel on and then Nivea Post Shave--they work fine in tandem.
I too like the alum for nicks and cuts. I user the WH after doing a warm, then cold water rinse, and after any needed alum should a nick or cut happen. I find doing this routine sets my skin up really nice.
This is obviously dependent upon individuals, but my regular routine is that:
I wash my face with cold water after completing the shave
Followed by alum block which I leave on for few minutes
Shower (I shave before showering)
Witch hazel after shower
I wash my face with cold water after completing the shave
Followed by alum block which I leave on for few minutes
Shower (I shave before showering)
Witch hazel after shower
Using both seems pretty redundant to me, though nothing bad comes from doing so.
I usually use Alum because its the quickest to apply.
But I would always use alum if there is any slight nick, or if I am evaluating a new blade or cartridge to get an idea of the number of stings.
Witch hazel I use when there are no nicks, and I am using relatively mild razor and blade combinations or cartrdiges that I know would produce relatively few alum stings.
Regards,
Renato
I usually use Alum because its the quickest to apply.
But I would always use alum if there is any slight nick, or if I am evaluating a new blade or cartridge to get an idea of the number of stings.
Witch hazel I use when there are no nicks, and I am using relatively mild razor and blade combinations or cartrdiges that I know would produce relatively few alum stings.
Regards,
Renato
I use both. After the alum I do my post shave routine. I then rinse off with witch hazel then apply an after shave balm.
it is really up to you and what is good for your skin. If you don't notice any negative effects from using both I see no reason to stop. Personally, I only use my alum block as a spot treatment for nicks and cuts. Witch hazel is usually enough for me.
You'll figure out what you like. If you spend enough time reading you'll also see that with (many) the alum to witch hazel is sort of a natural progression. Some never give up the alum but many do once nicks/weepers really become rare. As others, I keep a chunk around in case I need it but it's been idle for quite some time. I don't feel any need to use it after a good shave as it is very drying.
I think I used it more for a slippery razor handle than my face!
I think I used it more for a slippery razor handle than my face!
