The Ultimate Guide to the Benefits and Uses of Alum for Skin Health

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If you look closely, then you will find that these days’ people are shifting more towards the natural care of the skin. Apart from using skincare products, the use of natural remedies helps to keep the skin soft, smooth, and tightened. Recently, I discovered one more natural beauty ingredient: alum. Yes, there are many beauty benefits of alum for skin and how to use it.

Alum, commonly known as Fitkari in Hindi is white in color and odorless. In many nations, you will find Alum with the name “Crystal Soap”. It has many medicinal uses and also benefits the skin.

You won’t believe it, but Alum has been in use since ancient times. It heals wounds, clears the water, and is also used as a deodorant.

Let’s find out more about the Alum, its composition, and how to use it on the skin and benefits of alum for skin-

II. What is Alum?

A. Definition and Composition

Alum is a humble block also known as an unsung hero. It is a natural, crystal-looking stone that has been in use since ancient times to heal wounds and take care of skin.

It is soluble in water and has a sweetish astringent taste. The presence of water molecules in its structure contributes to its ability to dissolve readily in water.

Alum is composed of aluminum, potassium, and another metal. It is commonly referred to as potassium alum.

B. Historical Uses

Since ancient times, alum has been used in many diverse ways. Let’s see its historical uses:

Dyeing and Textiles: Yes, Alum works as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles. It makes them more vibrant with long-lasting colors.

Baking- Alum, when comes in contact with acidic ingredients, produces carbon dioxide gas which helps in good baking.

Water Purification- Yes, in ancient times, people used alum to purify water. Alum works as a coagulant; it clumps together all the impurities, making the water cleaner.

Cosmetics: Alum has been used in cosmetics and personal care. Its astringent and antiseptic properties help to shrink down the pores and tighten them.

III. Top Benefits of Using Alum for Skin

Above you have seen, how alum has been in use since ancient times. Let’s understand how Alum benefits for skin.

1. Antiseptic Properties-

Alum is rich in antiseptic properties. Which means it controls the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. When used on the skin, Alum helps to cleanse the skin and reduce the risk of infection.

2. Astringent Qualities –

Alum is rich in astringent properties. It helps to cleanse the skin properly and shrink the pore size. Astringent also works to reduce skin oiliness.

3. pH Balancing Effects-

This is one of the best use of Alum. It helps to maintain the pH level of the skin.

4. Skin Toning and Tightening Abilities-

Due to the astringent property of Alum, it helps to tone and tighten the skin pores. This benefit helps to give the skin a smoother and more refined appearance.

5. Blackheads-

How amazing is this, that you can use Alum to treat blackheads on your nose?

6. AfterShave-

You can use Alum as an aftershave lotion. It helps to heal wounds and cuts and adds a natural glow to the skin.

7. Acne Removal:

The main reason for the acne is the oily skin. Alum helps to control the sebaceous gland, which is responsible for oily skin. It minimizes the secretion of sebum and prevents the clogging of pores.

IV. How to Incorporate Alum into Your Skincare Routine

In the above section, you have seen how effective alum is in the beauty section. Now, let’s see how we can use Alum in our skincare routine-

1. Deodorant-

To use alum as a deodorant,

You can either rub wet alum on your armpits or
You can dust a little alum powder.

2. For Acne and pimples:

As we have seen above, alum is very useful for treating acne and pimples. To treat acne,

Take some alum powder
Add a few drops of water
Apply the paste on the acne
Let it rest for 10 minutes
Rinse it off with water.

3. Face Mask-

Alum can be used as a face mask too. It helps to tighten the skin and shrink the pores. For oily skin, alum helps to control the oil level in the skin.

Take 2 tbsp. of alum powder
Add a little bentonite clay
Make a paste with the help of water.
Apply the paste to your face
Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
Wash it off with lukewarm water.

4. Face Scrub-

It is good to gently exfoliate the skin once a week. And Alum can be helpful in it. Alum can be used as a scrub, to remove dead skin cells and unclog the pores.

Take 2 tbsp. of Alum powder
Add oatmeal or sugar to it.
Also, add 1 tbsp. of honey in it.
Make a scrub by mixing the ingredients.
Gently rub the scrub on the skin in a circular motion.
Rinse it off with water.

5. Alum Stone-

Yes, there is something called an Alum stone. This stone is formed from a single ingredient- Potassium Alum. Alum stone is used to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and skin tone.

Wash your face with a good cleanser.
Wet the Alum stone.
Apply the stone on the area with wrinkles and fine lines problems.
Dry and leave the salt crystals on the skin for 5-10 minutes.
Let your facial muscles relax.
When you feel the skin has tightened, rinse it off and follow it with moisturizer.

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alum and Skincare

1. Is Alum Suitable for All Skin Types?

No, Alum is not suitable for all skin types. If your skin is very sensitive or has the potential to be irritated, then it is best not to use the Alum on your skin.

Alum has different effects on different types of skin-

Oily Skin- It helps to control the oil and reduce the risk of breakout.

Dry Skin- If your skin is dry, it is best to avoid the use of alum. Alum can strip the natural oil from the skin and cause a breakout.

Combination Skin- This type of skin is a combination of dry and oily zones. It is good to avoid the alum on the dry area, as it can increase skin irritation and dryness.

2. Can Alum Cause Skin Sensitivity?

Yes, Alum can cause skin sensitivity. It is rich in astringent properties and can also lead to irritation. So, before using alum it is good to have a patch test.

3. How Often Should Alum Be Used?

There is no specific rule on how often you can use alum. Usage of alum depends on the skin type and skin sensitivity. Therefore, it is advised to use alum sparingly and cautiously.

VI. Conclusion

So, above, we have seen how alum can help us take care of our skin and make it more flawless and spotless. Alum is rich in properties like antiseptic, controlling excess oil, and astringent properties. It helps to take care of the skin and also its sensitivity.

But remember one thing, always perform a patch test before using alum on your skin. Also, if you are new, start using alum slowly. Overdoing it can lead to skin sensitivity and irritation.

Have you ever tried Alum on your skin?

Unlocking the Beauty Benefits of Alum for Skin: A Comprehensive Guide