Done with Alum!

[striker6]

I stopped using alum shortly after beginning wet shaving at the start of 2013 because it seemed to irritate my skin. Witch Hazel works much better. Of course, my technique was not refined early on but I'm getting consistently good shaves these days. As many say, put it down for a while and then give it a go again. I did this today with the Alum Block and it totally irritated my skin and pretty much ruined an otherwise excellent shave.

Going back to my Thayer's... No more alum for me!

 

[AceByTerror]

This is indeed a YMMV kind of thing.

While I have long ago stopped "needing" the sting alum would provide after a shave to help me adjust my technique, I now thoroughly enjoy the sting-free and beneficial tightening it provides after my shaves.

I leave it on while I am packing up the gear and drying off. The I rinse, splash with Lemon Thayers and finish with aftershave once the Thayers is absorbed.

Love my routine - all good for me.

 

[Curlingfly]

I have found that alum irritates my skin as well. Not right away, but later in the day after I've used it and thoughly rinsed it off. Now it's either drug store witch hazel or Thayers only (which ever is handy to me at the time). The only time the alum block sees any action is to stop a weeper, which thankfully has been few and far between lately.

 

[njpaddy]

I hate the way my face feels using alum block although I've used the powdered or crystal stuff for almost 50 years to quickly stop bleeding from weepers or cuts. The can on the right is alum/styptic powder bought in a pharmacy shaving isle in the mid-1960's and still used on rare occasions.

 

[Pedro Navaja]

YMMV indeed. I like it although I've not used it in the last week. Great deodorant too!

 

[VerbaVolant]

I stopped using alum shortly after beginning wet shaving at the start of 2013 because it seemed to irritate my skin. Witch Hazel works much better. Of course, my technique was not refined early on but I'm getting consistently good shaves these days. As many say, put it down for a while and then give it a go again. I did this today with the Alum Block and it totally irritated my skin and pretty much ruined an otherwise excellent shave.

Going back to my Thayer's... No more alum for me!

Do whatever works for you.

I also got irritation from Alum block. It was an Ammonium Alum block. I tried a Potassium Alum block and it worked the way it supposed to, without any irritation. Till one day when I used it with hot water (rinsed face with hot water, wet Alum block with hot water and applied on hot face, and left it on) and irritation came back.
Now I can use it, and enjoy the astringent effect on skin, every day without any irritation at all if I use the Potassium Alum, on cold rinsed face, dipped in cold water and run over the skin once, max twice. Let it sit while I rinse the brush and clean bowl, and then rinse the alum off. I then apply whatever AS I choose that day.

I could also stop using it and go straight with WH / AS, but I still like my Alum.

 

[ackvil]

For me alum dries my skin and also causes irritation. Another fan of Thayers.

 

[BayRhum]

another one here who does not get along with alum

 

[NSmalls]

I like alum. I find I have less post shave irritation when using it.

 

[musicman1951]

I also use Thayer's. I only use the alum if I have a weeper that doesn't stop after the cold water rinse - which is mercifully rare.

I follow the WH with Clinique M lotion, or occasionally Castle Forbes Lime Balm. That's the winning combination for my skin.

 

[WVUfanMG]

I like both alum blocks and Thayer's. The alum seems to help with irritation that I sometimes get on my neck with certain blades or razors. Although I've never tried a combo of the two, I'm thinking I might try that next time before I splash on my aftershave. Definitely a YMMV type of thing.

 

[Kerrplunk]

Alum block works great for me. Use it daily..

 

[mjclark]

Thumbs up for alum
For me it banishes irritation, helps gauge my technique and leaves me feeling clean and fresh after shaving.
I leave it on whilst policing the sink, then rinse if off and splash on cologne. Lovely!

 

[tejolot3]

I'm a newbie. But I haven't even DE shaved once without using alum. Hmmmm.....

 

[Mick]

Different strokes for different folks

Alum is fine with me and I am fine with alum.

I don't use it very often as I find a scented AS splash more to my liking.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Same here. Using the alum block right after my shave causes some mean irritation for me. I use the alum for quite a few things, but using it after a shave is not one of them. If I use it later in the day I'm fine, as the alum does have antiseptic properties.

 

[uncarich]

I use alum block after shaving and let it sit a minute before rinsing it off with cold water. Then I apply an aftershave product

 

[Okla1911]

I only use my block now to spot treat nics/weepers as needed. I didn't like the way it make my face feel.

 

[rider4life]

The only thing I like alum for is deodorant. It irritated the hell out of my face after a shave, gave me a huge pimple/ingrown hair on my neck.

Cheers,

M.

 

[normdugas]

I used to use alum daily as part of my routine but now only use it once or twice a week and it all depends on my shave. Have used it recently after using a Slim Adjustable paired with Shark SC blades and a Flare Tip Super Speed (tried settings 1 an 3) also using Shark SCs. I love the Sharks paired with my Canadian 1932 Tech and EJ DE89 but they seem to irritate when used in the Slim and the SS.