I have always had a styptic pencil so I just kept on with it as I learn the SR. The reason I post is the taste thing. Styptic is great for killing canker sore pain and it seems to make them go away fast. Taste like alum ? Or tastes like I imagine alum to taste as you guys describe it, sour with a shrinking my skin feeling. As for my face, it actually feels and looks much better just using the straight razor instead of the stupid modern way. If I start chasing women again I might look into all the treatments to take better care of it. This old face is pretty weathered already. :<0)