Does Alum really work?

[lijatron2000]

I also abandoned the use of the alum block because it left my skin too dry. It's more pleasant to use a good AS balm or splash.

 

[Bemused]

One thing that alum does is that it gives me instant feedback on the shave, if I've gone OTT then it stings quit a lot and that would be an indicator that I should also use a balm or witch hazel. I find now though that because my technique is pretty good I rarely use anything more than an alcohol based splash.
Most notable is that if I forget the alum I generally notice a, very slight, bit of irritation for an hour or so after shaving which is why I try not to forget it.
But like everything YMMV

My thoughts exactly, Alum is a great warning system.

 

[FrenchBlade]

I gave up on alum a while back, only use it now and then to sort nicks, and even then I use styptic pen instead most of the time. I feel it makes my skin feel dry and tight..

max

 

[Bobber]

Only use for rare nicks or cuts.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[Fido]

It's a must try - not one of our more expensive temptations.

As for me, I find cold water rinse then balm does the trick. So my Alum bars went on to others.

 

[cubert]

I use it after every shave, sometimes alone, sometimes with an A/S splash.

Can't give any reasoning behind it other than I like it.

 

[Boab]

It works very well, it is an astringent and works very well for this hence why people complain that it makes their skin feel tight. It is also antibacterial and a blood coagulant so will help with any cuts you have. I use it after every shave.

 

[mattlad]

It works very well, it is an astringent and works very well for this hence why people complain that it makes their skin feel tight. It is also antibacterial and a blood coagulant so will help with any cuts you have. I use it after every shave.

I've found it works very well for me too. If I've had a bad shave it irritates a little for a few minutes, if it has been a good shave then I have no problems.

 

[nosedog]

I'm very keen on alum and use it after every shave, followed by witch hazel, then Speick ASB. Soaps and blades I vary all the time, but the after-shave process is down pat.

I use a separate block of alum in the appropriate form factor for deodorant, and it's easily the best deodorant I've ever used.

The alum I used for shaving wasn't cheap -- never found any locally -- but it's worth it.

 

[fozz77]

I too am a big user of Alum. Warm water rinse, alum, clean gnashers & sink area, cold water rinse, pat down with a towel & on goes the aftershave. Great stuff, well worth a whirl at the price.

 

[lloydedwards]

I wouldn't be without Alum for both under my chin(s) and arms ( or nether-regions). I sometimes break a piece off, dissolve it, and use it for a "cat-lick" in summer. Refreshing, deodorising, anti-bacterial and cheap, and I can chose what I want to smell like afterwards.
For me, the best method after a shave is to rinse with cold water then a single pass with dry Alum block on wet face. Just enough to do its stuff without drying my neckskin so tight that I couldn't look up to find my balm!
Lloyd
"cat-lick" - all over wash (wipe) with wet flannel.