Alum

Alum is an ancient colorless or white crystal mineral with very special and protective properties. This mineral is very popular, partly due to its very attractive price. Alum is suitable for many purposes, but is especially known as the solution for shaving wounds.

What is alum stone and an alum block?

Alum is a very old mineral. Formed from compounds of salt, potassium, and aluminum sulfates. Alum was already used by the ancient Romans as a precious purple dye for nobility. The alum stone extracted from the mountains in Asia Minor is characterized by exceptional features. Alum is a colorless and odorless mineral and looks like an opaque crystal. Why is this mineral so special? It has disinfectant and hemostatic properties.

For this reason, alum is very popular among men who wet shaving. If you accidentally cut yourself, this stone is a true lifesaver. You dab the alum on the wound and you will notice that the bleeding stops very quickly. It is also an inexpensive deodorant. Very effective and works against unpleasant sweat odors. We will come back to this.

What is alum stone good for?

Alum is actually a much better alternative to, for example, a standard aftershave or supermarket deodorants. Or for white towels if you have cut yourself again with shaving. Therefore, buying alum is a very good idea. It is a pure, honest, and authentic natural product made by Mother Earth over the centuries.

Especially after shaving, the block of mineral stone can come in very handy. If you have pushed the razor against your skin unconcentratedly.

Due to its disinfectant effect, no infections occur from using alum. When you run an alum stick or stone over the facial skin after shaving, alum lowers the skin's pH value, neutralizing any drying out of shaving soap. Alum is suitable for every skin type. It also lasts a long time and never spoils! In short: alum stone has excellent caring and protective properties. It should actually bear the title 'gemstone'.

Advantages of alum:

• 100% natural
• Environmentally friendly
• Cheap
• Odorless
• Does not clog pores
• Works all day
• Not absorbed by the skin
• No stains or streaks in your apparel
• Lasts incredibly long

Types of alum

Today, when choosing a alum, you have multiple options, as alum is now offered in stones, sticks, and matches. When shaving, alum stones (or blocks) and alum sticks are most commonly used. Alum stones last a very long time and are easy to use. Alum sticks are easy to carry and can be used more precisely. Alum matches are more often seen in professional use, used to stop bleeding locally.

How do you use alum stone?

Alum stone is very simple to use. With a shaving cut, you dab the stone or stick against the cut and that's it. As deodorant, because it is, you wet the alum stone with water from the tap and pass the alum stone over the armpits a few times. If you use alum as a scentless aftershave, it works exactly the same. Unless your face is still wet from rinsing with cold water. You pass the alum over the facial skin and the hair follicles will close. So skin care for men can also be very simple and actually very cheap.

Why use alum after shaving?

An alum block works purely disinfectant. If you move the alum stone over the facial skin after shaving, the mineral binds to the proteins causing the skin to contract. Then the pores close immediately. A cut stops bleeding immediately and you have no chance of infections. If you pass alum over the skin, it will give a refreshing tingling sensation. Because the skin pockets close, they no longer get clogged and it is also safer to apply a good day cream.

Alum as deodorant

Using alum stone as deodorant is also a good plan. This mineral is actually a very good replacement for the average deodorants. Alum deodorant is an extraordinarily versatile product. Alum stone or an alum stick is actually a much better alternative to the average cheap deodorant products. Because: Alum has a very good antibacterial effect and does not spread strong fragrances as you are used to from AXE or average NIVEA spray cans.

When you use alum as deodorant, this mineral stone leaves an invisible, odorless, and ultra-thin layer on the skin. This thin coating has a positive effect on the pH value of your skin. This makes it a No Go Area for the bacteria that generate a nasty sweat odor. A pure natural deodorant. That's really nice.

What is in alum stone?

Alum looks like a dull and white crystal and falls under the pure minerals. In its original form, for example, alum is extracted on the island of Ischia in Asia Minor. Most types of alum are composed of the components: salt, metals, and potassium aluminum sulfate. However, you increasingly see that alum is also chemically made from bauxite. This is created by means of electrolysis.

Alum in its most natural form is also the soda alum composed of sodium aluminum sulfate. It is usually extracted in bone-dry desert areas. Lastly, there is also an ammonium alum stone. This consists of aluminum ammonium sulfate. This variant is most commonly used in natural deodorants. So much for the chemical side of the alum story!

Is alum dangerous?

No, alum is not dangerous. It is even an ingredient of baking powder. However, if you have sensitive skin and use alum as deodorant, you may experience irritation. In that case, alum as deodorant may be less suitable for you. Given the aluminum components, it is possible that your white shirts may get a yellow glow under the armpits.

How long does an alum stone last?

Alum stones are very economical and you use only a very small amount each time. As a result, an alum block often lasts for years.

How do you store alum?

Alum usually comes in a cardboard box or plastic packaging. You could store it here for years. Provided that you don't handle it too roughly, put the alum back dry, and store it in a dry place.

Where can I buy alum stone?

Alum can be obtained at the average drugstore. Perhaps the supermarket also has a small line of alum. But it's best to go to the specialist. The Alpha Men in this case. Besides being a hemostatic rock in the surf, alum is an inexpensive deodorant for men! Would you like to order alum? Take a look at our online assortment.