Loving the alum block

[solar]

I've been wet shaving for many years, and have used styptic pencils for the occasional nick or weeper. Recenty though, I got a block of alum, and rubbing my face, post-shave, with an alum block wetted with cold water, has become a very pleasant and integral part of the regimen.

Back in the early 90's, I read Michael Palin's book, Around the World in 80 Days. On the subject of his time spent in India, he wrote about being shaved by a street barber, with a crowd attracted to watch the spectacle.

Palin wrote that the barber might have been blind, since he seemed to feel his way around Palin's face, rather than looking at him during the shave. He wrote that after being lathered with a brush and shaved carefully and expertly with a straight razor, the barber rubbed a block of alum over Palin's face as the finishing touch of the shave.

For some reason, that detail always resonated with me, but I never bothered to seek out an alum block such as is used in shaving. Having done so recently, I an glad to incorporate this adjunct into the daily shave.

Best,

Chris

 

[DaveNJ74]

I love the alum block and tired it as a post shave. It didnt agree with skin much being raw right after a shave but I still use it for the occasional cut which isnt that often. What I do once or twice a week is before I go to sleep, I wash my face and rub the alum over my face and let it dry. In the morning my face is clearer than it used to be. Maybe this would help anyone out there.

 

[Born2bwire]

I love the alum block and tired it as a post shave. It didnt agree with skin much being raw right after a shave but I still use it for the occasional cut which isnt that often. What I do once or twice a week is before I go to sleep, I wash my face and rub the alum over my face and let it dry. In the morning my face is clearer than it used to be. Maybe this would help anyone out there.

I think it works too. I have found that using alum and witch hazel twice a day has kept away the occasional blemish for the past couple of weeks. Could never do that with the benzoyl peroxide though I still use it.

 

[blackfoot]

Another fan of Alum block here.

 

[Elecid]

Actually, I bought a stick of potassium alum to use as a deodorant. Occasionally, I find myself (after washing it off thoroughly) using it on my face. One month of constant use, and there's no noticeable decrease in quantity. It works quite well as a styptic.

Great stuff.

 

[DaveNJ74]

I think it works too. I have found that using alum and witch hazel twice a day has kept away the occasional blemish for the past couple of weeks. Could never do that with the benzoyl peroxide though I still use it.

I knew I wasnt crazy....

 

[buyandhold2018]

Alum got me into wet shaving and now I sell alum Love the stuff.

 

[The Last Chimney]

Love the stuff.

We know. Gosh.

I love my alum except when it gets in my mouth. I'm not quite as proficient wielding an alum block as a razor...

 

[Geordon]

I love my alum except when it gets in my mouth. I'm not quite as proficient wielding an alum block as a razor...

Here's a tip: Put your lips together before lifting alum to face. That way, it's much harder to miss the face and hit the inside of the mouth.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Here's a tip: Put your lips together before lifting alum to face. That way, it's much harder to miss the face and hit the inside of the mouth.

Never thought of that....