Thread: Adios Alum

I stopped using alum after a week or two, couldn't stand the stuff. I Just slap on some organic oil like Argan or Rosehip and I'm good to go.

Rarely use it. I prefer a cold water rinse, followed with a drop of Glycerin in a splash of aftershave. Or just a balm, after shaving. Sometimes nothing, after a shave.

I use alum when I have nicks or weepers. Because of what I do for a living, I can’t use any product with a lasting scent on work days so I avoid all aftershaves. I have used witch hazel as well, but prefer pure organic shea butter as a post shave skin treatment.

I quit using Alum about 7 months into my straight journey. The tingle didn't last long, but it did dry my skin out.
I also use Witch Hazel now after my rinse then my choice of smell good.

I ditched the Alum years ago. As I age my Broadway Face is becoming more susceptible to irritation. After shaving it's a hot towel followed by cold water splash and then some rose scented W/H, then some A/S and lastly some Sebum A/S oil which leaves my face feeling oh so fine.

Like many of you, I used an alum block when I first started shaving with a SR. As soon as my honing, stropping, and shaving techniques improved, nicks, cuts, weepers, and irritation went away. I ditched the alum block in favor of witch hazel, as many others have done. Although my skin is sensitive, I do not normally use a balm except in cold, dry weather. Those days are now upon us in Chicagoland, so I will need to break out the Nivea balm soon.

I get razor burn real easily and the alum helps me...along with bay rum. Keeps my face happy and healthy.

I have been using alum for as long as I can remember...still do.
Never had a problem with it.
I use it right after the shave and before the shower.
After the shower, unscented Witch Hazel.

Pete <:-}

My alum black has become my deodorant. Very occasionally, I will use it for a nick but for 99% of shaves the only astringent I use is my aftershave splash.

Use it every time I shave. Like most it's hot rinse, cold rinse then alum with the cold water, dry my razor, strop on suede then rinse off the alum, then rubbing alcohol. Now that alcohol is scarce I've been using witch hazel most of the time. Sometimes I skip it. Working outside in Florida with no AC I find the astringent keeps the sweat sting to minimum/non existent.