Thread: Alum block and witch hazel

It seems a lot of people use an alum block right after shaving and before applying an after shave. Others recommend witch hazel. Do they both do the same thing, or are they different? Does it make any sense to use both?

--steve

Yes, I think they both do similar jobs so really no sense in using both together.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I suspected they serve the same purpose, but to me the witch hazel seems easier to apply than the alum block since you just splash it on, which made me wonder why the alum block was so popular. But then, my alum block is shaped like a small roll on deodorant, which is probably not ideal for applying to the whole face. I saw a video of Master Livi getting shaved where the barber used a good sized block of alum which looked easier to use than mine.

That's what I love about this hobby - so many fantastic options and opportunities to try different things!

--steve

Originally Posted by SteveA

Thanks Bob, I suspected they serve the same purpose, but to me the witch hazel seems easier to apply than the alum block since you just splash it on, which made me wonder why the alum block was so popular. But then, my alum block is shaped like a small roll on deodorant, which is probably not ideal for applying to the whole face. I saw a video of Master Livi getting shaved where the barber used a good sized block of alum which looked easier to use than mine.

That's what I love about this hobby - so many fantastic options and opportunities to try different things!

--steve

I use one of those deodorant alum blocks that screw up. Works just fine on the face just like a shave stick and convenient for travel too.

Bob

To me alum is an antiseptic treatment of the skin and witch hazel is actually used to calm irritated skin.

Originally Posted by Hanzo

To me alum is an antiseptic treatment of the skin and witch hazel is actually used to calm irritated skin.

Maybe that's why the alum block seems to sting more than the witch hazel.

Think of the alum block as the bunker busting bomb for skin toning and think Witch Hazel as the natural and gentle way. Witch Hazel has been used for hundreds of years for wound care especially by Native Americans.

I definitely find the alum block to be more effective at stopping weepers than Witch Hazel. However, since switching to SR from DE I find that I get less weepers and only occasionally use the Witch Hazel for its skin refreshing properties.

I use the alum block not for weepers but to try and help the old sagging face. Need all the help I can get.

Bob