Review: Alba Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick in Tea Tree

For a couple of years now I've been using crystal deodorant sticks (Naturally Fresh & Crystal Body Deodorant). I mostly have good results with them, but occasionally they fail me if I haven't applied enough or if I had a really active day.

My major issue with crystal deodorants though, is the fact that they don't prevent you from sweating and they are unscented. So if I'm working up a sweat my clothes wind up smelling really sweaty at the end of the day. So I decided to try a new natural deodorant. I went to Whole Foods and decided on Alba's Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick in the Tea Tree scent.

A 2oz sized stick of the Alba Clear Enzyme costs $6.99. The deodorant is paraben and propylene glycol free. It contains vegetable glycerin, lichen and green tea extracts, sodium stearate, steareth-100, sodium bicarbonate, certified organic aloe juice, glyceryl stearate, oleic acid, sodium chloride, ethylhexylglycerin, chamomile, stearyl alchohol, stearic acid, ginseng extract, tea tree and peppermint essential oils.

The label states that the Alba Clear Enzyme is "crystal clear" and that the "antibacterial properties of tea tree and lichen work together as nature's odor-deterrents, providing safe, long-lasting protection without harsh chemical additives."

Before I bought the tea tree deodorant I took a sniff of it in the store, and it smells really clean and fresh. The tea tree smell isn't too strong, which I was happy about. It mostly smells minty but there's also an earthy and citrus fragrance too. So I think it can work for men and women.

Results After Using

Alba Clear Enzyme Tea Tree Deodorant Stick

I used the Alba deodorant the day after I purchased it. I was really pleased to see that it went on crystal clear, no need to worry about white marks, and it felt soothing and gentle on my underarms. It was quite thick to apply, so I thought it would hold up for the rest of the day.

But I was wrong, after a few hours of doing chores around the house, I started to sweat and I felt the Clear Enzyme begin to melt. Worse than that though I started to smell slightly of b.o.! And this was only a few hours after showering, so I was really disappointed with it... so much for the long-lasting claim.

But I wasn't about to let it go to waste, so I decided to use it again. But this time I first applied my Naturally Fresh Crystal Deodorant, and then I put the Alba on over it. This time the it actually worked. The crystal blocked odor causing bacteria, while the Alba Tea Tree stick helped to absorb my sweat a bit, and the scent made me smell fresh for hours.

In the End...

If you're someone who doesn't get too funky naturally, then the Alba Tea Tree Deodorant stick alone might work for you.

But if you're like me, you will be disappointed if you use it on its own. So I would recommend using a crystal deodorant stick first, then use the Alba over it. This method works great for me, with these two products I now have the perfect deodorant.

At $6.99 I feel that the Alba Clear Enzyme should've been more powerful, so I give it a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars for the protection that it gave me when I used it alone.