Best Alum Block: Perhaps Shaving’s Best Kept Secret

by Garrick Dee | Last Updated: June 15th, 2020

Not a lot of men know about alum block. But it should be an essential part of any aftershave regimen.

This product helps your skin feel refreshed, prevents razor burn, ingrown hair, and gives you feedback on areas you did not shave well.

This product is a miracle worker that doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

An essential tool in the old days

Before shaving became a multi-billion dollar industry, alum block was the go-to aftershave solution in any man’s shaving kit.

Now men would prefer other products like aftershave creams, bay rum, splashes, or balms.

Make no mistake that these products are useful, but the almighty alum trumps them all in one crucial factor – the price!

And none of those products provide the same benefits.

Must have for serious wet shavers

If you’re serious about shaving, this should be part of your aftershave routine, whether you’re using electric, safety, disposable, or a cartridge razor.

Since you probably don’t know much about alum, I’ll take this opportunity and explain everything you need to know.

What is an alum block, and what the heck is it for?

The main component of the alum block is alum, which is a natural astringent.

It has a bunch of uses that range from industrial to cosmetic.

And we’ll focus on the latter for this article. Alum is also a significant component in styptic pencils that also stops bleeding.

This same property is found in alum block, only with a much larger surface area.

Natural antiseptic and astringent

Alum block is such an excellent aftershave product because it is a natural antiseptic and astringent.

It soothes and tightens the skin’s pores that help prevent razor burn.

Another benefit would be closing up minor nicks and cuts that may occur while you shave.

Stops bleeding

It is a coagulant, which means it’ll clot the blood and stop bleeding. Alum is the same ingredient in styptic pencils that also stops bleeding.

The Egyptians were the first to used alum as an aftershave more than 4,000 years ago. And men have used this product ever since to relieve irritation.

So this shows us that alum indeed works and should more popular than it is now.

Provides feedback on sensitive areas

Aside from its nick stopping and soothing benefits, alum helps provide feedback on irritated areas.

On areas with irritation, you’ll feel a stinging sensation. The more irritated the area is, the more intense the feeling is.

This is great if you’re trying a new technique or going in a different direction. It’ll let you know if you cut too close.

It’ll also tell you when you need to change shaving equipment because it’s dull, too aggressive, etc.

Odorless

Alum does not have any odor, so you can use this in conjunction with other aftershave products such as an aftershave balm or bay rum aftershave.

If you wear cologne, the odorless properly of alum is a huge plus.

But make sure to apply alum first before applying another aftershave because alum soothes any irritation and closes cuts, thus limiting the stinging sensation from other products.

If you’ve had a poor shave, alum will shield your face from potentially more irritation from another aftershave product.

Doubles as a deodorant

Alum also works as a deodorant. But I’d recommend using different alum on your pits and face to prevent any cross-contamination.

Remember that your armpit has a lot of bacteria, so you wouldn’t want that bacteria on your face where it’s far more sensitive.

Note: There are deodorants available that have alum. You use this one your face, but make sure to check if it contains potassium alum or ammonia alum.

But avoid using ammonia alum on your face as it will sting much more than potassium.

How to use the alum block?

For best results, use this after shaving.

Before using it, make sure to rinse your face thoroughly to remove any residue – hair, dead skin, and shaving cream.

Soak in water

Run the block of alum under running water for a few seconds, then rub it on your face, at least the areas you’ve shaved. Alum dries quickly, and the next step will depend on preference. You can leave it as is or rinse it off.

One thing to note about alum is that it leaves a tight feeling on the skin. You’ll feel the tightness when smiling or chewing. And that tight feeling slowly dissipates as you go about your day.

But if you’re feeling uncomfortable with it, just rinse it off. Either way, your face will reap all the benefits.

Let it dry

Before storing it in its plastic casing, make sure to let the alum block thoroughly dry, or you’d risk ruining the product and not be able to use it again. If you have an expensive marble countertop, don’t leave it on there, or it’ll stain.

Styptic Pencil vs. Alum Block

A styptic pencil is another product that a lot of people take for granted in favor of other products.

But more experienced shavers still have this to treat nicks and cuts.

Both these products have the same composition (made from alum) and work similarly.

However, alum block contains aluminum potassium sulfate, and styptic pencil only contains plain aluminum sulfate.

While both will work well treating small cuts, aluminum sulfate is much potent and will leave a white mark on the face.

Potassium sulfate in alum isn’t as potent and goes on clear your skin.

Alum block has a larger surface area, so it’s easier to apply on the face. Styptic pencil worked in a much smaller space and meant used to treat cuts.

Where can I buy this?

Alum block isn’t popular because it isn’t as widely available as let’s say a cartridge razor. But fortunately, more and more drug stores and pharmacies are selling this.

You can also find alum in the deodorant section of health shops or supermarkets, but buying this retail will cost 3 times more. A better option would be buying from Amazon.

What is the best alum block?

Have I convinced you to try alum block?

Your next question probably is what is best?

Most of these products are the same.

To be honest, there is no such thing as “best alum block” because all the good brands have the same chemical composition.

This means that there isn’t much of a difference between brands.

Don’t be cheap

I do however, caution you to avoid cheap Chinese brands because these products may contain lower grade alum that won’t last as long and not work as well.

Make sure that you’re buying something made from solid alum, and determining factor would be the price.

And range would be between $6 and $25 in Amazon. Sizes will vary, and most will have a plastic case where you can store this.

Having said all that, I’m sharing with you some product recommendations to give you an idea of how much and what brands are good.

Gentleman Jon

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Gentleman Jon is one of the best value for money alum blocks available right now. It’ll cost around $8 for a 3.7-ounce chunk, and it comes with a case.

I was debating whether to put this or the RazoRock on top and eventually decided on this because it’s slightly cheaper.

If you buy the RazorRock in Amazon, it’s actually cheaper, but you’ll have to pay for shipping even if you go over the $25 threshold.

And it is a bestselling alum block and styptic product in Amazon, getting rave reviews.

So this product should be good. This product is made from 100% potassium alum.

Unlike RazoRock that has a stick version of alum, this product only comes in block form so it won’t be as travel-friendly.

RazoRock Alum Block

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RazoRock is a consumer favorite because it works great. And it’s compact size makes it easy to handle.

You don’t have to worry about finding a place to store this because it comes with its own plastic case. This is a big deal because this product it from moisture and water that erodes it and decreases the length of time you can use it.

Despite its size (or lack thereof), a 3.2-ounce bar will last for years. RazoRock says that its product contains naturally occurring potassium alum mineral salts.

There are two variations of this product:

• Alum block
• Alum stick

The stick version is more expensive than the block and would be a great option if you travel a lot. And even if the block version is small, it’s also cheaper to get this if you just need something to use at home.

Bloc Osma

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Bloc Osma is another quality brand from France who’s been in the business for over 6 decades. Their alum blocks are handmade, but I don’t think that makes much of a difference in terms of quality.

Even if it’s imported, this is still one of the cheapest alum blocks (or bloc d’Alun if you’re French).

You can get two of these for less than $9. And considering that “The Art of Shaving” alum block is asking for $20 for a similar-sized product – the choice is obvious.

It is cheaper than the RazoRock and Gentleman Jon, but one thing that holds it back would be the lack of plastic storage to protect this and keep it dry.

One way around this would be buying a soap container or storing this on an unused metal jar cover.

Barbero

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Barber is another excellent budget option in this list. It isn’t as popular as RazoRock or Gentleman Jon but nonetheless the right choice.

Funny, despite having a Spanish sounding brand that translates to “Barber,” this product is from France.

Like all the products in this list, it is made from 100% natural alum, and it has the right size – 3.52 ounces. And costs less than $8! It also comes with a case that keeps it dry and protected.

Parker Alum Block

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You may be familiar with Parker safety razors, but I bet you didn’t know they make alum blocks.

Theirs is one of the biggest available at 125 grams or 4 ounces.

Parker says that they used 100% pure potash alum in their alum block, and it comes with its own plastic storage.

That’s larger than the 3.7 ounce Gentleman Jon and will cost a little over $11.

Taylor of Bond Street

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Taylor of Bond Street is another favorite brand that also makes shaving soaps, creams, aftershave balm, and pre-shave oil. And most of their products made it our “best of” lists, and their alum block is no different.

Unfortunately, their products are too expensive, that’s why it fell way down this list.

I’ve mentioned earlier that one of the most important considerations when buying the alum block is the price.

A 75-gram bar will cost a whopping $16. That’s smaller than the Barbero and Gentleman Jon but twice more expensive.

Osma Tradition Bloc

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This product from Osma Laboratories is the most unique in this list.

Instead of compressing powdered raw material, the manufacturer used real alum stone cut by hand.

It is a big reason why this is more expensive than any of the alum blocks listed above.

If you include shipping, this will cost almost $18 for a 100g bar.

The verdict

Alum block is an essential tool that should be in every man’s shaving kit. It soothes razor burn, stops bleeding, and closes the pores that’ll prevent infections post-shave.

It’ll also provide feedback on areas that you may have shaved too close – great if you’re trying a new technique.

Since all of these products made from alum, just pick one that’s the cheapest, preferably with a case to protect it from moisture and contaminants.

Out of the 6 alum blocks listed here, I really like the Gentleman Jon and RazoRock because both are cheap. The latter has a stick option if you travel a lot.

Other products listed here work well but will cost more.

If you find this article useful, please do share it with your friends on Facebook or other social media channels. We’d appreciate this as a lot of hard work in putting this review together.

Cover image source: http://www.geltir.com/thread-255-page-99.html