Clear antiperspirant stick containing dibenzylidene alditol with hydroxyalkyl cellulose and/or chelating agent

A clear gel cosmetic stick is provided which comprises a liquid vehicle, an antiperspirant salt dissolved in the liquid vehicle, and a dibenzylidene alditol, and is further characterized in that said stick includes a chelating agent or both a hydroxyalkyl cellulose and a chelating agent. The cosmetic stick comprises in percent by weight about 70% to about 95%, preferably 75% to 92%, of a liquid vehicle, about 1 % to about 22%, preferably 3% to 15%, of an antiperspirant salt dissolved in said vehicle, about 0.5% to about 3%, preferably 0.5% to 1.5%, of a dibenzylidene alditol, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, preferably 0.2% to about 0.4%, of a hydroxyalkyl cellulose, and about 0.05% to about 3%, preferably 0.1 % to 2%, of a chelating agent. Preferably, the liquid vehicle comprises a polyhydric alcohol having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups and is substantially free of monohydric alcohol and strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Preferably, the cosmetic stick will have a pH greater than 4.4, and more preferably greater than 4.7, a turbidity of less than about 120 NTU, more preferably less than 100 NTU, and a hardness of about 60 to 150. By lowering the dibenzylidene alditol level to 1.5% or lower, the clarity and odor characteristics of the stick are greatly improved. The color of the stick is improved by the addition of the chelating agent. The hardness of the stick is maintained by the addition of the hydroxyalkyl cellulose.