Alum as an antiperspirant.

[theymademedoit]

I ran out of my usual antiperspirant roll-on the other day. In the build up to this event I kept forgetting to buy a new one. I had a vague recollection of reading that alum was/is still used in some parts as an antiperspirant. So I thought I'd give it a whirl; I had nothing to lose.
The results?
Well I was a bit sceptical about this, but it actually works. Really quite well. Dry pits!
Anyone else tried it?

 

[moodymick]

Not tried it personally, but a number of years ago there was bit of a fad on here about it - there are a couple of threads around somewhere.

 

[theymademedoit]

Not tried it personally, but a number of years ago there was bit of a fad on here about it - there are a couple of threads around somewhere.

Oh right... I'll have a search later.

 

[Reevers]

I started to use it after getting bored of the generic chemical scent of other antiperspirant sprays. I use it primarily because I find that it neutralises body odour. It is obviously scent-free so I don't have to worry about my aftershave/EdT clashing with it.

 

[pjgh]

Routinely. Fine. Overdoing it is not necessary - a swipe over and you're done.

 

[theymademedoit]

I'd imagine it doesn't leave a horrible residue on clothing too...

 

[riverrun]

Some of those 'natural deodorants' contain 100% potassium alum, just like your alum block. The two are therefore interchangeable. You can use an alum block as a deodorant or - even better - if you can get them cheap - buy the deodorant sticks, use sandpaper to get the top surface level and not curved and then use it instead of the alum block. Advantages are that the alum block is now encased (good for travel) and it now has a non-slip grip. Make sure no water gets into the stick though or else it might fall out of the case.
Works for me. And I use it as a deodorant as well.

 

[UKRob]

I'm not sure it can be classed as an antiperspirant - certainly it works as a deodorant. I've tried all types including the push up sticks - they all work but I went back to the block as I found the sticks tend to start dissolving. It's both odour and stain free and you don't get that 'matted' feel that comes with chemical sprays.

 

[theymademedoit]

Taken from Wikipedia...

 

[UKRob]

Is it significant that only anti-bacterial and deodorant references have citations?

 

[theymademedoit]

Dunno...

 

[theymademedoit]

Does this help...
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/antiperspirant

 

[riverrun]

I don't think alum has antiperspirant properties. I haven't noticed them. It's antibacterial, so the critters can't drink your sweat and fart in your armpit or whatever the exact mechanism is You sweat, but you don't stink.

 

[theymademedoit]

Right, ok...

 

[chris.hale]

I've been using it for a couple of years, it's an excellent deodorant and your shirts don't get crusty armpits, but I would agree that it's not much of an antiperspirant. You still sweat, you just don't smell.

 

[theymademedoit]

Interesting. I've used alum for the past 3/4 days and found I've not sweated underarm hardly at all. Today I used an antiperspirant roll-on and I'm moist...