Thread: Alum as a Deodorant?

The good news: Alum is not the same as aluminium. Alum is a common name for 'Aluminium Sulphate' Or Potassium alum. It has been used to purify water for thousands of years.

The bad news: Alum does seem to contain aluminum, which is probably used way more in your favourite restaurant‘s kitchen, and while current literature is still defining mechanisms, pathways, and the reagents that contribute to its accumulation in Alzheimer’s patients. It is generally considered most toxic as an ingestible. So wash your hands after using it.

Potassium alum molecules have a negative ionic charge, making it unable to pass through the cell wall. THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED. (We think)

so those alum deodorant sticks are the same thing as alum blocks (like the ones from classicshaving)?

i've wanted to use alum after shaving but couldn't find an actual alum block and didn't want to order one online, but those sticks are easy to find

Originally Posted by edk442

so those alum deodorant sticks are the same thing as alum blocks (like the ones from classicshaving)?

i've wanted to use alum after shaving but couldn't find an actual alum block and didn't want to order one online, but those sticks are easy to find

Check the ingredients when you look at the sticks. Some are ammonium alum and others are potassium/potash alum. The deodorant sticks will be one of either of those and the post-shave alum is usually potassium/potash alum.

I switched to using alum as a deodorant back in February and haven't looked back. I keep one alum stick for shaving (QED in a push up tube and a deodorant alum, Henri Broussard or something like that...that I found in a drugstore in a small town).

well i did find a stick that was labelled potassium alum, so we'll see if it works. i also found a stick from Henri Bernard so that may be what you have. it was sketchy on what it was made of saying only that it's made with pure mineral salts (there was even an ingredients section on the label)

Originally Posted by edk442

well i did find a stick that was labelled potassium alum, so we'll see if it works. i also found a stick from Henri Bernard so that may be what you have. it was sketchy on what it was made of saying only that it's made with pure mineral salts (there was even an ingredients section on the label)

BENARD...that's it. Blue text on clear plastic. I have two QED alum tubes but didn't want to mix up the one for the pits with the one for the face. Then I got the Henri Bernard...easier to keep straight.

if the henri bernard was potassium alum i would of bought it instead of what i have now...truth be told the stuff i bought is shaped in this weird half oval thing that's trying to look like regular deodorant. it pains me to think i'll have it sitting on the bathroom counter for god knows how long. now very pleasant to look at.

From what I understand, Alum crystals have been used in the eastern part of the world for foot odour for quite some time. Something I read a while back but can't recall all the details.

correct, infact the labels on them say to apply to underarms and feet

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Found a link to some info about the contents and way alum blocks control odor.

http://www.thecrystal.com/product_information.cfm

I've been using the Crystal Stick for about 4 months. Seems to last forever, and is very effective. I picked mine up at Wild Oats.

RT

The alum is a double salt of alumio and potassium. Al2(SO4)3.K2SO4.24H2O.
One does not take place industrially, is of natural way in deposits. One is used among other things as conservante nourishing for the maturation of bananas and in as the past mordant and deodorant and as remedy for the cuts of the shaved one. In Europe it is sold in naturistas stores with the stone deodorant name and very is used by the people who have irritation with other deodorants. He is very effective against the scent and a hard bar years.

Greetings