Is an Alum block as good as witch hazel or better?
- Thread starter Omnichron
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After a cold water rinse, I use the alum, then I clean the brush and scuttle, then rinse first with witch hazel, and then another rinse with copious amounts of more cold water.
I think this is one of those YMMV kind of things. Some folks will tell you alum and witch hazel are redundant, both being astringents. For me the alum seems better at tightening my face and closing any little weepers but the witch hazel seems more refreshing and "healing" on my face. So I use both. After my last pass I rinse my face and use the alum block. Clean up my brush, etc. Then rinse my face with witch hazel. In the winter I let the witch hazel dry and apply a balm. In the summer I use witch hazel with a bit of aloe and glycerin mixed in and stop there.
Alum blocks last almost forever and generic witch hazel is cheap so I don't see any reason to choose.
Alum blocks last almost forever and generic witch hazel is cheap so I don't see any reason to choose.
+1 and they provide very different sensations!
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- Thread starter
- #5
ok. I'm going to order an Alum block and some razor blades from WCS
I use both - I picked up an Alum block for $1 at the local indian food grocer (they also have godrej and treets, which is cool) and generic witch hazel at Target is like $1.50. Some people report finding WH at the Dollar Store. To cut the scent of the cheapo WH, I mixed about 70/30 Witch Hazel and Bay Rum (Superior 70 brand from Walgreens). I have since then picked up Thayer's Medicated Superhazel. I still use both Alum and WH after shaves because I still tend to get irritation and a weeper or two any time I go for BBS on one spot on my neck. The Alum helps more with the weepers, and the WH additionally tones and soothes (particularly the Thayer's).
YMMV
YMMV
In my opinion it is a question of personal taste.
Impossible to say which one is really better.
My preference, however, is for the Alum Block.
Impossible to say which one is really better.
My preference, however, is for the Alum Block.
I use both after my shave, and both are excellent for your skin. After a warm water rinse, followed by a cold water rinse, I'll rub the alum block all over my face. I'll leave the alum on while I clean up my shave area and gear. Then I'll rinse the alum off with cold water, pat face dry, and then use witch hazel. Both the alum and WH are antiseptic, but I feel the alum does a better job of healing/soothing the shaved area. The witch hazel is a nice final thing to use before you use any AS or balm.
Some may say that that's overkill, but each works in their own way, and as has been mentioned, neither one will break the bank.
Some may say that that's overkill, but each works in their own way, and as has been mentioned, neither one will break the bank.
I have both, but I use the Alum block daily and the witch hazel every once and a while. I used them both today (alum then witch hazel) and had fantastic results. I will be changing my regimen to include both.
I use both. After a cold water splash, I rub the alum on my face. I clean my brush and scuttle, then splash with Thayer's Cucumber WH. I love the whole experience and enjoy anything that makes it smell better and last longer!
That does it. After all these replies, after I thought I had everything I needed, I am still buying more! Damn you AD's!!
Buying an alum block now! The witch hazel just isn't enough after reading this!
Buying an alum block now! The witch hazel just isn't enough after reading this!
It doesn't matter what the topic is -- better/best is always subjective. It's extremely unusual for there to ever a universally best anything. It surprises me that I always see this type of question on every discussion forum I visit, whether the forum is dedicated to shaving, computers/tech, smartphones, espresso machines, cars, you name it.
With shaving it's even more so since we don't all have the same face.
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B
buyandhold2018
The discovery of Alum is what got me into wet shaving, and now I even sell the stuff. I think everyone should at least try it once. On a cost per shave basis, it's very very inexpensive.
That does it. After all these replies, after I thought I had everything I needed, I am still buying more! Damn you AD's!!
Buying an alum block now! The witch hazel just isn't enough after reading this!
Luckily Alum can be had really cheap. I personally refuse to pay more than a couple bucks (unless somebody can convince me why some cost more).
i use alum, but have heard from many people that it dries their face. you might decide based on if you have oily or dry skin.
+1, same process here.
The alum and witch hazel have midly different effects, and I do enjoy following alum with WH. Sometimes, if I'm feeling a bit on the dry skinned' side, I'll mix a drop of glycerin in with the WH before I splash it on.
My Dad used to put Alum powder in a bottle of WitchHazel...He'd shake it up, and splash it on...Swore by it...afterwards he would use whatever AS he wanted.
For those who said the alum block dries your skin: do you rinse it after it has dried up? Because if you leave it there, your skin will surely feel tugging.
An alum block vs witch hazel comparison is interesting as well because some people are concerned about the alum block containing aluminium, which is suspected to be toxic in the long term. My take is that one thing is aluminium, another thing is an aluminium compound, but for those who are concerned it would be nice to know about alternatives.
An alum block vs witch hazel comparison is interesting as well because some people are concerned about the alum block containing aluminium, which is suspected to be toxic in the long term. My take is that one thing is aluminium, another thing is an aluminium compound, but for those who are concerned it would be nice to know about alternatives.
I too use an Alum Block first with a cold water rinse, then I apply witch hazel as a cleanser. Finish it off with an aftershave.
