Thread: Alum as a Deodorant?

Just thought I'd chime in here as I use my "alum" as both an aftershave and a deodorant.

I buy the Crystalux brand and they used to have a very interesting and informative website so of course it is now under re-construction.

What I remember from their site is that alum blocks do not contain Aluminum, ie. do not cause alzhiemers.

They are also not an anti-perspirant (believe me this I can attest to). But control oder by destroying the bacteria that cause it. They do work quite well as a deodorant. You do have to get used to the fact that there is no scent, not even as much as a non-scented stick. I am alergic to the common aluminum salts used in most deodorants (hives and such) but have no reaction to these.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

They are also not an anti-perspirant (believe me this I can attest to). But control oder by destroying the bacteria that cause it. They do work quite well as a deodorant. You do have to get used to the fact that there is no scent, not even as much as a non-scented stick.

+1
I tried one of these out when my usual antiperspirant starting making me itchy, the oder control was a little better than most deodorant only sticks.

This stuff works quite well for me on all but the hottest days.

A stick also lasts forever - unless you drop it

Its also an inexpensive option for those who like to use alum as a post shave treatment - not to mention the stick is a more convenient format than a block.

One thing to remember is to rinse and dry the stick before you put it away.

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)