Thread: Alum block making skin tough...

Happy to hear you shave is improving. You mentioned the use of a moisturizer. Is it an aftershave balm or a generic lotion type moisturizer with a fragrance added to it.

I use a generic lotion type called Bulldog, it's product description is as follows:

Bulldog Original Moisturiser is packed with 8 essential oils plus green tea, green algae, konjac mannan and vitamin E to help rehydrate the skin. Bulldog is man’s best friend.

It's been pretty good to me so far, i've not ventured into balms yet...

Originally Posted by Danjoswal

ok so just to update you guys, i did a shave at the weekend: Hot shower, face scrub, hot towel, lather, hot towel, lather, shave, alum, rinse, moisturise.

I did two things differently to my usual routine: I put a hot towel over my first lather, and I rinsed the alum off with warm water before a cold rinse and my skin stayed soft!

This leads me to think i wasn't rinsing the alum off properly? it would explain why my skin dried out i guess but i can't see me failing to rinse properly every time. Perhaps I had been putting too much alum on and it took the warm rinse to remove it.

Anyway the problem seems to have gone away... for now at least

Great the your troubles seem over. I could see where if you did not rinse well enough any residual alum would mess your skin up. I rinse well with cold water and apply aftershave post alum use. Never a problem.

Bob

+1 to BobH

Yes, after you use the alum block, it's a must to rinse it off.

Another product to use, which is also very nice, is the Thayer's with Witch Hazel and aloe vera. The Witch Hazel is like an alum treatment and the aloe is great for the skin.

Originally Posted by BobH

I could see where if you did not rinse well enough any residual alum would mess your skin up.
Bob

Yeah come to think about it the hardness of my skin was a bit patchy... Can't believe I messed up rinsing my face!!

I didn't read this whole thread but it sounds like you need to kick the alum and get some Thayer's Witch Hazel for after shave treatment followed by Castle Forbes Lime After Shave Balm. You'll like that balm. Very soothing and moisturizing.

Alum also is the very best deodorant.
After showering, pass the alum under warm running water and rub in the armpits for 5 or so, then let air dry.
No white, powdery residue like other deodorants.