Alum as a Deodorant?

Ok here's a question. In doing some research on alum based products some sources say you can use an alum block as an under arm deodorant. Aluminum compounds are the active ingredient in most deodorants...
Aluminum chloride
Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
Aluminum chlorohydrate
Aluminum hydroxybromide

So it makes sense that perhaps pure alum can be used effectively. Though, I assume you'd want to have a seperate block for the face...:cool:

Basic instructions are to dampen the block and apply in the fashion you would a stick deodorant. Having used alum on my face for a couple years, I would think that this could be a longer lasting replacement for standard issue you buy in stores.

Does anyone here use alum for this purpose? Call is sheer curiosity.

JR

True alum is Aluminum Potasium Sulfate, sometimes also referred to as potasium alum. This is indeed an effective anti-perspirant. I'm not sure what the alum blocks are actually made of, but in many cases materials referred to as alum are in fact aluminum sulfate, a related compound, but not a true alum. aluminum sulfate has been used as an anti perspirant for many years, but it is not recognized by the USFDA as an effective anti-wetness agent.

I believe most modern anti-perspirants use aluminum chlorhydrate as their principle anti-wetness agent.

The 'aluminum' is sometimes also an irritant, and with old pots/pans has been fingered as a possible culprit for the onset of altzheimers disease..... Adsorption and injestion of aluminum is, well, not looked up on as something wise to do.

BUT each to their own, right? :shrug:

C utz

Alum works as an anti-perspirant, but not a deodorant. You could mix in some baking soda with the alum...

I'm allergic to the sprays and roll ons. I found some crystal deoderants that are basically alum and have been using them for at least six months. No problems.

Rick

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.

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

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

The Alzheimer's thing has been debunked, but it's probably still not a good idea to consume too much. ;)

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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.

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+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 :eek:

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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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

I have become increasingly concerned about using deodorants/antipersperants. I suppose that we never really know what is good for us or bad for us.. it seems to change from decade to decade.. but I am well aware of both the breast cancer and the alzheimers issues.

I started selling the Shavex Alum blocks (potash alum) last fall and out of incredible curiousity grabbed one of the blocks for my own use immediately. I thought that I would try it exclusively for a week or two and then go back to my Secret... having learned something or another during the trial....

My feelings after only a few days were that it was not harmful to perspire... especially when it did not have an odor. It was lovely to not have sticky stuff under my arms and that I have never felt cleaner.

The Shavex blocks seem to be in the midrange price wise.. I have seen everything from $1 to $15 for an alum block or crystal. Mine (Shavex) are $10... but it is easy to bypass that when you have 100 of them sitting in front of you. But I have been using mine since last fall... most of the alum block is still there. I suspect it will last 2 years if I don't drop it. I rinse it off after each use and keep it on a wooden soap dish ($3) and it dries completely between uses.

I really like that I feel I am still perspiring as I believe it is natural and healthy... and who wants to keep all that stuff in side anyway... but I feel clean and healthy... I threw about 5 sticks of Secret out last fall... I will never go back.

As far as function... well.... I think I smell at least as good as I did before.. maybe even better.. but I don't want to jinx myself... ;-)

When I sweat, I smell sweet. Kind of like a strawberry or some sort of berry. It worries me a bit because it might indicate that I'm not eating enough.

I've been using one of those crystal deodorants for the past 6 months. I believe it's labeled as being Aluminum Sulphite, but I could be wrong... I'm at work right now. I've found the product to be a great deodorant and a very effective shaving alum.

- Ken -

This is a great idea. I have been looking for a product that is not as heavily scented as what I use now. I find any of the scents commonly found to not play well with whatever cologne I choose to wear.
This should work well, killing odor, yet still allowing me to choose a scent without trying to match it to my stick of deodorant.

Thanks for the thread, I will try this soon.:tu

Whew, talk about reviving an old thead.....

I was doing a internet search for health effect of using an alum block for deodorant. It led me back here! I think the alzheimer link has been debunked. I have a block I use for my face after shaving. With my last order from Italian barber, I bought the razor rock one for my pitts. It's been working much better than the Mitchum I'd been using. So I've been thinking of another block for my feet. Dress socks and shoes make my dogs sweat, and boy do they stink.

Anyone try this stuff on their feet?

Seems like it would work. Thanks in advance.

In other parts of the world, alum is also used for the feet.

I've also tried some of the alum type liquids. While they work as a deodorant, I sometimes get an itching sensation. Could be my skin sensitivity.

I got an alum block from TI, for shaving. I only use it if my face is irritated, and for nics.
I am dissatisfied with my normal deodorant, and after coincidentally reading about alum being used as a deodorant, I thought "to heck with it" and rubbed it under my arms this morning. The results were stunning. This is my first day using alum as deodorant, but I think I'll keep doing it... oh and for the feet??? Does anyone actually do that?
So theoretically I could use this blessed alum block that I bought for shaving, for the underarm and feet as well :p.
That might not be that bad, considering that it's most effective after a bath anyways, so using the same block for everything shouldn't be a problem, as long as you only do it after baths and cleanse/dry the block afterwards... screw it, I'll give the feet thing a go! Why not :beer1:

No.. no nevermind. I'm not putting alum on my feet.. seriously.

I browsed this thread a while back myself - I'm not particularly overweight or unhealthy but I sweat like a proverbial. Nothing commercial seems to help me on the hot days (even the 'clinical' strength goop that supermarkets have these days) so I recently decided to splash some Thayer's witch hazel under my arms out of desperation. Works surprisingly well against the odor, but its quickly overwhelmed. Will have to try an alum block too.

Alum isn't an antiperisperant, but it does a great job of eliminating the smell. So if one is a heavy sweater, it will probably succumb. But from what I've read, the trick is to cover a large area. Really smear that alum block all over the underarm and then ½inch more.

Been using it on my pits for yrs,same block I use on my face after every shave.
Nothing will stop the actual wetness long term,( maybe a couple hrs for me)
But it will inhibit the bacterial growth that causes B.O.

You've used it for several years? How much has it deteriorated? just wondering how many years a block typically lasts :)

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Originally Posted by kieselmayer

You've used it for several years? How much has it deteriorated? just wondering how many years a block typically lasts :)

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A long, long time. I have a deodorant tube size that I've used for about three years now, and about half is gone. I used to use it on face and armpits both but have stopped using it on my face. I just didn't like the way it made my face feel, like I could never get it all washed off. I liked the astringency, though.

I tried this about two months ago, when we had warmer weather here, it works as far as a deo, you will sweat though like your suppose to. The clinical stuff you get today keeps my pits from sweating at all it seems, don't know that it's a good thing. I think we do what we have to do to seperate our selves from animals, removing body hair, and not stinking.....
I did see this other stuff called "Life Stinks" it's a powdered deo, suppose to be better for you. I think it was developed due to people having surgery due to clogged glands in the pits from deo's. I could be wrong just kinda winging the info. from memory.

I use the "crystal" mineral salt block. Bought it in health food section of Kroger. It is supposed to be healthier than regular deodorant. It has worked well for me as a deodorant, but does not prevent perspiration. I have been using the same solid stick for about a year and probably have at least another few months of use before I'll have to buy a new one. Much cheaper in the long run compared to standard deodorants, and its better for you.

No, it's the other way around: alum works as a deodorant, but not as an anti-perspirant.

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Originally Posted by mparker762

Alum works as an anti-perspirant, but not a deodorant. You could mix in some baking soda with the alum...

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This- it inhibits sweating but doesn't absorb any odor.