Do I have an Alum block and didn't know ot?

[Sendit]

Ok, so I train often (boxing / running etc) and about 2 years ago I bought a salt deodorant so I wasn't reapplying chemical deodorants all the time. I normally use it if I am showering in the middle of the day. It does not keep me dry but absolutely prevents odor.

So as I am watching wet shaving videos and trying to learn, I see these Alum blocks and realize that they look a lot like my deodorant. It does not have ingredients listed, just 'natural minerals'. So I looked up their site and it doesn't specify there either. On their FAQ page (http://www.deodorantstones.com/faqs.html) it says the following:

"What is Alum? Is it the same as Aluminum?
Alum is a salt. Aluminum is a mineral. Alum is taken from Bauxite ore. Alum is in no way harmful to your body. Aluminum has been suspected, although not proven, to be harmful. There is absolutely no Aluminum Chlorohydrate in our deodorants. In fact our products are so safe they are used in the purification of water in some countries."

I did try it on a small nick and the bleeding stopped. Is this the same as the Alum blocks I keep seeing? Is there a 'shelf life' on this?

Finally, is Alum the same as Styptic?

 

[anthonyscardina]

styptic and alum are different. styptic is pretty much for nicks, and alum is an aftershave treatment which cleans and stops weepers. alum is useful as a deodorant as well, from what I've read. I'd say you've got the same stuff.

 

[dcobranchi]

So as I am watching wet shaving videos and trying to learn, I see these Alum blocks and realize that they look a lot like my deodorant.

Yep. The natural deodorant is the same chemical salt as shaving alum (potassium aluminum sulfate). Styptic is a slightly different salt (ammonium aluminum sulfate). I've never seen a block of the ammonium salt.

Edit: If stored dry, the shelf life is roughly 4 billion years give or take a billion.