Synthetic Crystal Deodorant Stones vs. Natural Crystal Deodorant Stones

30 years ago the crystal deodorant market was just untouched and just beginning to evolve. Consumers most likely did not even know what a natural deodorant stone was.  But now that demand for crystal deodorant stones has drastically increased, companies are trying to find cheaper ways to produce and sell the crystal deodorants, which has fostered the development of the synthetic deodorant stone.  Once an all-natural market, natural crystal deodorant stones are now being overshadowed by their synthetic counterpart, and the market is saturated with powerful brands marketing synthetic products with 'natural' labels.

There are two types of potassium alum, one which is an entirely natural occurring mineral, and the other which is chemically manufactured. The natural potassium alum is a translucent crystalline crystal that contains veins.  It is odorless, chemical free, alcohol free, hypoallergenic, non-sticky, non-staining, and non-irritating.  It is routinely extracted throughout the world, especially around the Mediterranean and South America.

The synthetic potassium alum is chemically manufactured by undergoing a process of synthesizing aluminum hydroxide with strong acid.  After additional chemical reactions and mixtures, the final product is a synthetic alum powder.  The alum powder is then pressed to form deodorant stones, which appear as a white, opaque, solid stone.  It appears white due to the presence of aluminum hydroxide which is a white powder. 

However, beyond the obvious difference of one stone being natural, and one being synthetic, there is also a visual difference.  The presence of aluminum hydroxide in the manufacturing process of the synthetic deodorant stone results in the stone appearing completely opaque, whereas the natural deodorant stone is translucent. The difference is clearly visible below with a side-by-side comparison of synthetic crystal deodorant stones and natural crystal deodorant stones: