But is it possible it is drying out my skin. I love using it though. My skin feels so much smoother and "finished" if that makes any sense. Has anyone else had problems with alum being drying? I run it all over my face while it is still wet with cold water, and then I rinse it all off with cold water after about 10 seconds ....................
I love alum block!
- Thread starter Matt555
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If left to dry, you will see a whitish residue on your face. Are you applying anything else to your face after the cold water rinse? It is possible that your face isn't , moisturized enough after the shave due to scraping off the protective oils. Then using the alum block adds to the dry condition even though you rinse it off.
marty
marty
I would suggest to wash off alum with cold water after a minute or two and then apply after shave balm and/or face cream.
I love lamp.
View attachment 91098
View attachment 91098
Is this, incidentally, also what you're supposed to do with a styptic pencil? I find them very useful, but I never quite know what I'm supposed to do with the white residue.
Thanks,
G.K.
I run the Alum Block all over my face while it is still wet, wait a couple of minutes and, WITHOUT rinsing the Alum off, I apply an aftershave balm or cream.
This method, suggested by a barber, works great for me.
My skin becomes smooth, fresh and moisturized!
What's the proper use of an alum block? I tried both methods, rinsing the alum off and without rinsing. But with the 2nd method I always got such a unsufferable itching on my face that I can't imagine this method is the proper one.
This is from the Shavex website:
In my experience this method works wonderfully well. Thayers Original Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera is an excellent follow up to the alum block that will keep your face moisturized.
FWIW, I rinse off alum after cleaning brush and tidying up the sink , then apply Nancy Boy A/S Replenshing gel. The hyrdolast in NB gel does wonders to soften your face after the astringent action of the alum. Hey that was alliteration! 
As always, YMMV.
As always, YMMV.
I love my alum block, too. However, I have to wash it off after use or it leaves my face feeling leathery afterwards.
My routine is to do a cold water splash, rub the alum block over my face, then let it dry. Then I'll rinse the alum off with cold water. After that, I use Thayer's and follow it with an application of Alt-Innsbruck ASB. Works wonderfully and my face feels great.
My routine is to do a cold water splash, rub the alum block over my face, then let it dry. Then I'll rinse the alum off with cold water. After that, I use Thayer's and follow it with an application of Alt-Innsbruck ASB. Works wonderfully and my face feels great.
I rinse also after using the alum block and I only use it when I follow up with an ASB.
It is a no no when using an AS. An AS alone and my skin feels just right. Using an alum block before an AS and my skin will feel too tight afterwards.
It is a no no when using an AS. An AS alone and my skin feels just right. Using an alum block before an AS and my skin will feel too tight afterwards.
I recently started using one after about a year and a half of shaving. Really liking the way it makes my face feel. 
Alum blocks are the ultimate diviners of the truth, you may look and feel good - but only Alum can reveal the truth!
Well, I guess your face is telling you what the proper method for alum block use is.
I have not experienced white residue with alum block, unlike styptic pen. I use styptic pen only localized to stop bleeding, in the case of incidental cut.
While people tend to do comparison between styptic pen and alum block, I think these two have completely different use and purpose.
If alum block is to be compared to something, I would rather compare it to after shave splash.
I find I need to use it less and less these days...hopefully that means my technique is improving!
Alum is an astringent - so you should expect to that your skin will feel tight after application (Wikipedia says: "An astringent substance is a chemical compound that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application)
I find that those with oily skin love the post alum feel. For those with normal-dry skin - AS balm application should help (esp if weather is col/dry).
I find that those with oily skin love the post alum feel. For those with normal-dry skin - AS balm application should help (esp if weather is col/dry).
Elaborate please.
I think he may be talking about it revealing abrasions. I have used alum on all of my shaves (not many at all) I noticed in my first few shaves (when I was really tearing myself up) that alum made me burn in places I didn't even know I had done anything bad to myself. Yesterday I had a really good shave and no discomfort with the alum.
