Thread: Alum block making skin tough...

Hi Folks,

Apologies if this is something that has already been covered.

I introduced an alum block to my post shave routine recently and I've noticed after a while it has made my skin really tough and not very flexible, and it gets dry and flaky after a day or two. I'm aware that it is meant to tighten the skin somewhat but my face is going hard! I've been thouroughly rinsing the alum off and using moisturiser but the only thing that has brought my skin back to normal is not using the alum.

Is this normal?

I shave every 3-4 days and shower daily, using exfoliating face scrub every other day.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Well i cant speak for the masses, bt i really didnt get on with alum, it makes my skin very tight and uncomfortable so i dont use it. Even styptic does it to a degree, but obviously it is loocalised.
I dont know enough to say but possibly if you have dry skin already it might be drying it out more.

I'm a big fan of alum and use it after every shave to reduce razor burn, close up the pores, close small leapers. I have never had any issues with it drying up my skin like you describe, and I live in a very arid climate. What brand of alum are you using?

If alum does not suite you, you might try using something like witch hazel instead. Just splash some of that on after a shave.

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm using an Osma alum block and my skin has never been overly dry before (or oily for that matter). I haven't used it for about a week now so I'm thinking I might try it again tomorrow when I pick up my freshly honed Kropp and see if it does it again.

It's so strange though it's like my face is made of cardboard or something

Everyone is different in how they react to a product. I shave every day and use an alum block everyday with no ill results but that is me. You might want to stop using an alum block considering your reaction to it. Don't worry it's use is not mandatory by any means.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Everyone is different in how they react to a product. I shave every day and use an alum block everyday with no ill results but that is me. You might want to stop using an alum block considering your reaction to it. Don't worry it's use is not mandatory by any means.

Bob

Quite right, bob and i are in the "lather and shave and thats about it" camp. As i said i gave mine up, and in turn made another member very happy

Originally Posted by BobH

Everyone is different in how they react to a product. I shave every day and use an alum block everyday with no ill results but that is me. You might want to stop using an alum block considering your reaction to it. Don't worry it's use is not mandatory by any means.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

I don't know... perhaps i can make somewhat of a party trick from it!

Originally Posted by Danjoswal

Thanks Bob.

I don't know... perhaps i can make somewhat of a party trick from it!

Well maybe if you bought some packing tape....

I use Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe, and it tightens and refreshes post-shave, without Alum. Of course, I'm not very prone to razor burn or nicks, so it may/may not be good for you.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I use Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe, and it tightens and refreshes post-shave, without Alum. Of course, I'm not very prone to razor burn or nicks, so it may/may not be good for you.

Thanks Harold,

Can't hurt to try it. At least it will stop me feeling like this after every shave: