Ever noticed your grandfather dab a little white crystal on a freshly shaved face, and noticed the bleeding stopped almost right away? You already have a front row seat to one of the most underrated ingredients in the known world. This crystal is fitkari (alum or potassium alum) and the skin benefits of alum are much more comprehensive than most people realize.
Though beauty industry is flogging the next ‘Hyaluronic acid' or ‘Niacinamide', this centuries-old mineral has been making skin care miracles in Indian households for ages. Alum has many applications for skin ranging from regulating oily skin to combating bacteria to brightening out skin tone. So we will dissect the top 10 most compelling reasons why fitkari should be a staple in your workout.
What Is Alum (Fitkari) and Why Does It Work?
Alum is a naturally occurring mineral salt — potassium aluminium sulphate — that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine practices, ancient Egyptian medicine and in Ayurveda. It acts mainly by the two mechanisms: astringency; anti-microbial activity. When applied topically, it will contract the pores, reduce the size of the tissues and strip away the bacteria that could inhabit the skin. These are each the exact properties that make alum advantages so far-reaching and reliable.
10 Alum Benefits for Skin You Need to Know
- Minimises Open Pores
One of the most touted alum benefits for face is that it can effectively improve the appearance of your skin, making it look tighter and fewer pores. Alum is astringent, which contracts the proteins in the skin and physically closes the pore. The regular use after cleansing, rubbing a wet alum block on the face, can result in a significantly smoother and refined skin texture in a matter of weeks. This is particularly helpful for individuals who suffer from oily or combination skin and have enlarged pores that is a constant worry.
- Controls Excess Oil and Shine
Oily skin is a cosmetic as well as a dermatological problem. Too much sebum results in oily skin, pore congestion and acne. One of the most functional uses of alum for skin is in regulating sebum. With its astringent properties, Alum helps to neutralize and control the activity of overactive sebaceous glands for a short time, helping to maintain oil production under control during the day. When applied as a toner or face pack it can significantly reduce the shine during the day without depleting the skin of its much-needed moisture.
- Natural Aftershave and Skin Soother
One of the most famous alum uses for skin is this one. Apply a wet alum block to freshly shaven skin to cover with antiseptic immediately, to prevent small cuts and nicks from bleeding and to soothe inflammation caused by the razor. Alum is safe for skin aftershave as it does not sting or dry out skin as alcohol-based aftershave does. Many dermatologists report the antimicrobial effect of alum as additional benefit, as it helps to ward off post shave folliculitis, a common problem caused by the infection of shaved hair follicles.
- Fights Acne and Prevents Breakouts
The two actions of the alum benefit face when it comes to acne: both it kills the bacteria that cause acne, especially Cutibacterium acnes, and it helps diminish oil production and enlarged pores, which trigger breakout cycles. The spot treatment or mask made of alum powder and rose water can help to reduce active pimples, calm down redness and prevent the occurrence of new ones. Alum is used in people who suffer from chronic acne to treat the underlying cause and not just the outward symptom.
- Reduces Facial Hair Growth Over Time
One of the less common benefits of alu is that it can have a long-term impact on facial hair growth, if used regularly. Alum is thought to damage hair follicles over time when dissolved in water and applied to unwanted hair, such as the upper lip and chin for women, and used regularly. This is a traditional method, found in numerous Ayurvedic books, which gradually reduces the rate of hair growth; it will take months of regular use for the traditional method to have a noticeable effect, and is a mild, chemical-free alternative to threading or waxing.
- Brightens Skin Tone and Reduces Pigmentation
Some of the more common skin concerns include uneven skin tone, dark spots, and post inflammatory hyper pigmentation. Alum uses for skin include acting as a mild exfoliant and skin-brightening agent. Frequent use of alum promotes cell turnover and decreases melanin build-up in problem areas, gradually lightening the dark patches and leading to an even skin tone. These brightening effects are enhanced when they are added to a face pack with lemon juice or turmeric. This is one of the alum face benefits that require some patience but will be beneficial for a long time.
- Controls BodyOdouras a Natural Deodorant
Bacteria at the underarms cause odours and commercial deodorants may use strong chemicals or synthetically produced perfumes to control the issue. Alum is a cleaner alternative. Its antimicrobial properties kill the bacteria that cause body odours and its astringent effect decreases the amount of perspiration. This is one of the most convenient alum applications for skin other than face. Clean underarm areas using a wetted alum crystal can help to control odor for hours — and is the foundation of many natural and crystal deodorant products around the world.
- Soothes Skin After Hair Removal (Waxing and Threading)
Skin is easily compromised post-waxing and post-threading as pores are open, follicles are exposed and bacteria can easily enter. A diluted alum solution will apply antiseptic protection and close pores immediately, or rub a damp alum block over freshly waxed skin. One of the most used yet underutilised alum benefits for skin is in a country such as India, where threading is a daily activity. It can stop ingrown hairs, redness, and bumps from occurring after hair removal.
- Treats Mouth Ulcers and Supports Oral Health
The alum applications for teeth and oral care should be given a special mention. For generations, alum has been used as a natural remedy for mouth ulcers; applying a small amount of alum powder directly to a mouth ulcer helps to decrease the inflammation, kill the bacteria, and heal the mouth ulcer much faster. Other uses of alum for teeth include gums that might aid in their strengthening, gum inflammation, and some level of toothache. In some traditional practices, alum diluted in water is used as a mouthwash to keep the mouth clean, eliminate the plaque and freshen breath without harsh chemicals found in commercially available mouthwashes.
- Benefits of Drinking Alum Water for Internal Skin Health
Although most of the attention is paid to alum as an ingredient in facial skin care products, it's important to know about the benefits of taking alum water as well. — but with important considerations. Alum water is traditionally used in water purification and as an aid to digestion, but only in very small and controlled quantities. Alum water advocates claim that it has a number of other benefits, such as helping to reduce inflammation inside the body, which in turn can positively impact skin health. It is important, however, to remember that there should be no consumption of alum without the advice of a professional health care practitioner. Too much alum is bad and can be poisonous. The value of the use of alum water, if any, is small in comparison to the topical use and the risks of misusing the water are great.
How to Use Alum Safely in Your Skincare Routine
While knowledge of the benefits of alum is helpful, so is knowing when and how to use it:
- As a tonic: Dissolve a little alum in water and wash with it after cleaning.
- As a face pack: Make a weekly face pack with alum powder, rose water, multani mitti or sandalwood powder.
- For spots: Use alum powder and water as a paste directly on the pimples and leave overnight.
- As an aftershave/post-wax soother: Gently rub an alum block over the area with a dampened surface.
- Use for oral health (alum uses for teeth): Mix a small amount in warm water and rinse mouth once daily.
If you are using alum, be sure to do a patch test beforehand, particularly if you have sensitive, reactive skin. Avoid contact with eyes. Face benefits from the use of the alum are felt within the span of a few weeks with regular use.
Who Should Avoid Alum?
While there are amazing uses for alum on the skin, not everyone will be able to use it. Alum can be too astringent for extremely dry or sensitive skin and might cause irritation or flakiness. Do not use for people with a sensitivity to aluminium. Alum should also be avoided by pregnant women and those with kidney disease, as these people should consult a doctor before using.
Final Thoughts:
There are lots of expensive serums and cumbersome routines in the beauty world, but sometimes the best things that can be done are the ones that are hiding in your grandmother's medicine cabinet. Alum benefits to skin are true, proven and time-tested. Whether for contracting pores, controlling acne or even for teeth, the uses of alum are incredibly varied, and the mineral is much more than it looks.
Those who have been sleeping on alum should take heed: this is their wake-up call! Go to your local kirana shop or pharmacy and grab an alum block, and begin your search for something easy – such as a toner or aftershave. Let the results do the talking.
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