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Also known as: Shabba, Fitkari, Alumen, Crystal Deodorant, Barber’s Stone, Phitkari.
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Chemical name: Potassium Alum (A naturally occurring mineral salt, famously transparent to milky-white).
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What it’s known for: Its "Astringent Power." Alum is one of the oldest grooming and purification tools in history. It is a natural mineral block that acts as a powerful "Styptic" (to stop minor bleeding) and a high-performance, scent-free deodorant.
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Visual Profile: Translucent, crystalline blocks or raw, jagged stones that look like frozen salt or quartz. It is cool to the touch and odorless.
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How to prepare: For grooming, simply dampen the stone with cold water and glide it over the skin. For water purification or traditional uses, a small piece can be swirled in a vessel or crushed into a fine, white powder.
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How it’s used: The classic "Aftershave Block" to soothe razor burn and close pores; a natural, aluminum-chlorohydrate-free Deodorant; a traditional Water Clarifier that helps sediment settle; and a key ingredient in pickling to keep vegetables crisp and firm.
