Crystal Deodorant / Shaving Styptic of Volcanic Potassium Alum

Once you have tried volcanic alum crystal as a natural deodorant, or a shavers styptic, there will be no looking back! This is one of our most popular products.

£7.00 — £25.00

Visible even from satellite, the deposit of Alunite (Alum Crystal) in the Western Desert, glows like a frozen sea.  From the land, the Alum formation stretches as further than the eye can see blurring into the horizon. As the sun sets, the vast expanse of Alum mirrors the sky until it becomes an ethereal, almost pulsating mass under the full moon. Abundant where it occurs, (unfortunately not in the UK), alunite is one of the earth most common and useful minerals, used since civilization began. Volcanically formed Alum Crystals should not be confused with factory made deodorants which often use inferior, sometimes harmful synthetic chemical ingredients. Alum Crystals are simply collected from the desert surface, placed in sacks and then shipped to the UK.

Natural Alum Stone works as a deodorant by leaving a fine salty, slightly alkaline film on the skin, inhibiting the growth of microbes. It keeps the skin fresh and deodorized all day. It allows perspiration, one of the body’s cleansing and interpersonal communication mechanisms, keeps the pores free, and does not stain clothing. The molecules are large and are not absorbed into the skin, plus the molecules have a negative charge, also keeping natural alum from entering the skin. In traditional hammam bathing, Moroccan women sometimes rub Alum Stone on their breasts and stomach to maintain a firm and youthful skin.

Alum crystal blocks are the ultimate natural deodorant.

Even people with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) get along well with them. Equally people with sensitive skin rejoice in being able to deodorize again. Alum stone also makes a great natural aftershave, reducing the appearance of shaving burn, and stemming bleeding from shaving nicks. (Traditional barbers use Alum styptic)

Did you know that Alum stone can also be used to relieve insect bites and reduce shaving rash?

What is Alum?
Potassium alum (naturally formed at volcanic fumeroles)
The natural crystal, potassium alum, potash alum or alum stone is totally unprocessed where as virtually all other crystal deodorants labeled as ammonium alum or potassium alum B.P. crystal contain synthetic ammonium, a by-product of the chemical and nylon industry. These synthetic ingredients may contain chemical residues and cause allergic reactions.

Earth-grown Alum Stone is a safe, natural and highly effective alternative. Natural and synthetic alums look similar. The only sure way to tell them apart – is the natural crystal breaks into irregular forms with irregular surfaces.

Sizes
The sizes are listed in the drop down menus, although we do have specimen pieces weighing up to 10kg! As each piece of alum is knapped from a larger block we can not always produce pieces of exactly 100g, 114g, 129g etc. If the block we select for you is slightly underweight we will send you some change with your order – Although just a often as not, the piece we send you will be slightly overweight – your gain!

How to use alum crystal as a deodorant block

• Select a piece of alum of at least 100g.
• Before use, rub a new piece of alum crystal with a cloth in water to remove any angular edges before using on the skin. It will takes several weeks of usage before the crystal becomes really smooth like the one in the photograph.

• Apply alum stone deodorant in a thin layer straight after bathing to the wet skin. Alternatively dampen the stone and apply to dry skin. Alum can also be used on the feet. For especially active days, rubs the stone on the skin for longer.
• Always rinse the Alum Stone after use and allow to dry.
• Keep your Alum Stone on its own soap dish to prevent damage to surfaces and preserve the alum crystal intact.

How to use an alum crystal block as a shavers styptic or aftershave

Alum stone helps control shaving rash and stems bleeding from shaving nicks (there may be a brief tingling sensation). Alum is astringent and mildly antiseptic.

• Select a piece of alum weighing at least 100g or select the insect bite relief set for highly portable pieces.
• After shaving and rinsing the face, simply glide the alum crystal over the shaved area. Pay extra attention to small shaving nicks, where the alum will stem the bleeding. Warning the use of alum on broken skin will sting.
• Wash and dry the crystal after use.

How to use alum for relieving insect bites

• Select the insect bite relief set. These are three portable pieces, each piece between 2cm -3cm long.
• The person who has been bitten should drop their own saliva onto the insect bite.
• Then rub a piece of alum, beginning at the outside of the bite, certainly encompassing any reddened areas of skin, concentrically into the puncture, over the course of 30 seconds to a minute.People who act straight away will benefit the most. So far there has been excellent feedback with mosquitoes, mozzies, animal fleas, ants, horsefly and bedbugs.

How to use alum pebbles to make your own deodorant

• Select the alum pebbles or the alum granules and if needed, the 100ml spray mister bottle.
• Part fill the bottle with alum pebble and add water. Agitate for a minute or so and use as a homemade spray on deodorant. The alum water will carry 5-10% in solution giving a milder deodorant then using the alum crystal directly on the skin.
• Either leave the water in the bottle, or if you are traveling, empty the bottle and refill at your new destination.

How to use alum granules to make you own deodorant

Alum powder is a versatile ingredient with many uses:

The Ethics of Using  Volcanic Alum Crystal

• No chemicals
• No perfumes
• Naturally unfragranced
• No preservatives
• No colours
• No alcohol
• No processing whatsoever (it is just collected from the surface of the Western Desert, and has never seen the inside of a factory)
• No added ingredients at all
• Very economical—a medium piece will last for several years. Take care not to drop your Alum Stone as it may shatter
• Highly effective – making it excellent value for money
• Multifunctional (deodorant/shaving/insect bite relief) saving further on packaging, postage and bathroom clutter
• Usually considered safe for sensitive skins
• One piece can be shared by all of the users of the bathroom, as it is washed between each use, saving on bathroom clutter and packaging
• For a change – a traceable deodorant!
• Helpful for hyperhydrosis

If you need help selecting your alum please call 01603 474516 and I will try to find you a piece to suit you budget and requirements.

TIPS: In Morocco, deodorants are not necessarily worn each day. Some Moroccans only use alum during the summer months. Probably by force of habit, most Westerners apply deodorant everyday. However as long as the underarms are cleaned daily, and shirts and tops are changed daily, it is really only necessary to wear deodorants when we are working in close proximity to people, or when we have a highly active life.

For some people just washing the underarms in rhassoul clay on a daily basis may obviate the need for a deodorant, because the clay has mild deodorizing properties.

People with very sensitive skin who need to wear alum deodorant during the day can washing the deodorant off before they go to bed at night.

At the other end of the scale, people with hyperhidrosis (a condition characterized by excessive sweating) get along very well with volcanically formed potassium alum. They should always use natural alum in preference to aluminium chlorohydrate. Natural alum remains on the skin, killing microbes acting as a powerful deodorant, where as aluminium chlorohydrate, acting as an antiperspirant releases the aluminium ions into the sweat gland blocking the exit of sweat. Please do make a point of trying fully natural potassium alum if you suffer from hyperhidrosis as they are a lot safer!

Alum crystal block for deodorising from £7.00:

Alum pieces for insect bite relief:

Alum pebble for home made deodorant refills:

Alum granules/powder from 100g: