Alum Yes Or No

[Mike Smart]

As my mind was wandering as i does i began to wonder who uses alum ?
i used it quite Regular but over the last 6-7 months i haven’t bothered..
I feel it actually dries my skin & i very rarely have weepers.
Even after iv washed it off my skin its bone dry and all that lovely soap goodness is away
Personally i don’t feel the need for it
is it just another product that we buy but don’t need ?
or is there serial users ?

 

[hdb3326]

I use it here and there now i'm shaving more regularly. I don't really find it drying to be honest.

 

[Digimonkey]

I feel it actually dries my skin & i very rarely have weepers.

I'm with you - only ever used if needed - my skin doesn't like it. Some swear by it and it's a good learning tool when you start proper shaving. Each to their own. - I.

 

[Bogeyman]

...is it just another product that we buy but don’t need ?...

 

[The Geordie Shaver]

Yes , I used to call it , believed it caused irritation and couldn’t see the benefit of it .
Now complete reversal , I use it every shave and my skin is in great fettle , I don’t use aftershave , balms or lotions , just the Alum .

 

[Rufus]

Not useful for me. It dries my skin and leaves my face feeling stiff. I find a quality alcohol-based aftershave splash does the trick. If I have nick that bleeds I’ll use a styptic stick on it.

 

[Zorro]

Bought a block back in 2016, when i got back into DE shaving and, initially, used it regularly but soon stopped.

Still have 3/4 of the bar left and it sits in the cupboard for emergency use, for when i have been cack handed (rarely) and have a big weeper.

I find cold water just as effective for stopping up smaller nicks.

 

[Jester]

Used it regularly when I moved to DE shaving as it let me know where I'd been over-zealous! Now I'll use if if I've a weeper or two as it's in the cupboard, but I do find it drying.

 

[culcreuch]

I use it after every shave. Leave for a little while ....rinse and moisturise. Antiseptic and closes the pores instead of an aftershave lotion.

 

[donnie_arko]

I have an alum block which I use in the winter if I pick up a nick or a weeper.

However, in the summer I will not only use it on my face where I shaved but the rest of my face, as like others have mentioned the alum block dries my skin and in the summer that is something which is beneficial, in the peak summer months my face can be really greasy, the alum block can provide a few hours of slightly drier skin!

 

[BigBruce]

I use it on my head after every shave and have never noticed any drying effect. But I do use balm or lotion every time as well, maybe that's why. It's also very effective after a shower instead of the chemical cocktail better known as anti perspirant/deodorant.

 

[Gairdner]

Oh I tell you, after a right hot Friday night ruby, it’s just the ticket for the old Johnny Cash and his burning ring of fire. If you survive it that is….

 

[culcreuch]

Oh I tell you, after a right hot Friday night ruby, it’s just the ticket for the old Johnny Cash and his burning ring of fire. If you survive it that is….

UNDER ARM deodorant. If you have a burning ring....Please read the instructions!!!!!

 

[Gairdner]

UNDER ARM deodorant. If you have a burning ring....Please read the instructions!!!!!

It’s very good as a deodorant actually, very good indeed.

 

[Electrif]

I use it after every shave. Leave for a little while ....rinse and moisturise. Antiseptic and closes the pores instead of an aftershave lotion.

Likewise, except I follow with an aftershave, then moisturise with Aloe Vera.

 

[TobyC]

I've never owned alum.