Thread: Witch Hazel instead of Alum block?

I use both; alum block followed by witch hazel. I use Dickenson's. Thayer's is to expensive.

They are both astringents however Alum is stronger in that dept and does other things in addition while the Witch hazel is a milder astringent and also has other benefits and in the case of Thayers has additional ingredients over the Dickensons..

I agree, I just bought a bottle for $9.00 at GNC. I actually think the Dickenson's works a little better, but the smell of the Thayers Lavender keeps pulling me back in.

Alum can have a drying effect for many people. This can be further exacerbated by the use of alcohol based witch hazel and aftershave. I only use an alcohol-free witch hazel and alum only when needed. There is enough alcohol with aftershave to do plenty.

Just the alum for me,after very shave.

I use the alum block more for cuts or weepers, I have to rinse it off after because it leaves a white film on my skin. I use the Witch Hazel after shaving to clear up my face from nicks & pimples, more of a toner than the alum block.

I use the alum block occassionally, whn I do a very close shave. But on normal days it's like Hirlau: Splash the Witch Hazel and then Pinaud Clubman. Actually I would say it depends on how my skin feels. If I feel I need the stronger astringency of the alum, that's the way to go. My favorite is Thayer's, now I'm using the rose one which I share with SWMBO.

Yesterday I used for the first time Thayer's Witch Hazel Cucumber, it feels great on the skin and has a great scent. I also noticed that it stings less than the alum block. I guess I'll switch from time to time both alum and thayers...

I like to throw the witch hazel no alcohol/no scent on my mug followed by some clubman special reserve or citrus musk.I just use my alum block primarily for a deoderant nowadays. Sometimes I just like to throw Sardine oil on my face.........Women really love it !

Still new at this (doing my 5th shave tonight) so my after shave routine isn't fully set yet, but right now I use the alum for any nicks/cuts, then cold rinse, then just apply some Dickenson's witch hazel, followed by some aftershave balm after a few minutes (usually will clean up the shave den and do a little stropping of the razor before applying the balm).