VERDAN, the leading supplier of natural alum stone for the cosmetic and personal care industry, today warned that there is no scientific evidence suggesting, that potassium alum (also known as alumen)

  Switzerland, Bern - 04/14/2020 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

April 2020 We are living a strange time with the spread of Coronavirus COVID--19 and the market is in high demand for antiviral, antibacterial and disinfectant products. The cosmetic industry is starting to participate in manufacturing and supplying disinfectant and hydroalcoholic gel. Francis Verdan, CEO of VERDAN SWITZERLAND SARL* the leading supplier of natural potassium alum for the cosmetic and personal care industry, and a premier contract manufacturer of crystal deodorant, has been questioned if potassium alum, also known as Alumen in the EUR Pharmacopeia, has any effect against COVID-19. Today Verdan clarifies the situation as follows: Even if potassium alum as a generic raw material has known antibacterial effects against Cholera (1) and antiviral effects against Herpes LSV2 (2) there is absolutely no evidence or suspicion that potassium alum could act against COVID-19. 

Verdan clearly defines his activity as a manufacturer of cosmetics and urges his worldwide clients not to promote any effects of potassium alum other than the ones defined in the cosmetic field. Based on the literature potassium alum has deodorizing, astringent, hemostatic effects. There are a wide variety of applications for potassium alum. Formulations using this compound should be limited to body deodorants, antiperspirants, after-shaves, shampoos, toning creams and antibacterial soaps. Potassium alum produced by Verdan and affiliate is sold under the commercial name of Kalunite™ which is a trademark registered in Europe and Switzerland. For cosmetic purposes, Verdan offers Kalunite™ Powder, Kalunite™ Solid, Kalunite™ Pearl. The Kalunite™ Powder is micronized at 20 µm and thus is the ideal additive for antibacterial soap. For now, Verdan Switzerland SàrL has neither intention to develop formulations for medical applications neither nor to conduct new studies on the antiviral or antibacterial effect of Potassium alum.

 However, in the time being Verdan is ready to adapt part of the production for assisting the industry in the filling of hydroalcoholic gel based on Ethanol or other standard approved formula. (1)This study conducted in vitro experiments demonstrating the bactericidal properties of potassium alum. When added to water there was evidence antimicrobial effectiveness against various enteric pathogens, such as Shigella and Cholera: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8783521 (2)This study conducted in vitro & in vivo experiments and demonstrated antiviral effects against HSV-2. It was concluded through several approaches, that, in vitro, alumen could inhibit HSV-2 infection, while in vivo there was evidence of suppression of vaginal HSV-2 infection in guinea pigs to some extent: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11596-011-0685-8 *VERDAN SWITZERLAND SARL is a company affiliated to COSMOFARM SA in Panama.

 For more information on Kalunite™ Potassium Alum please visit us at http://www.verdan.com