The (Natural) Secret Weapon for Surviving Adolescence

Botanical Clay for Stinky Armpits, Breakouts, and Bonding

Let’s be honest for a minute and talk about that special phase in parenting no amount of well-meaning advice can prepare you for — adolescence. Somewhere between sweet toddler hugs, those masterful works of art you cherish by hanging on your fridge, and handing over the car keys, your sweet little angels start to smell … not-so-sweet. 

There is a wealth of information about how to care for your babies, toddlers, and school-aged children naturally—any other baby-led weaning, organic feeding, cloth diapering mamas out there? But the information gets more sparse when you are navigating the murky waters of body odor, breakouts, and beauty advice when you are fighting tooth and nail to keep things holistic.

If you are here, you are probably already that mom. The one who reads the labels, knows her way around natural deodorants, and maybe even has been accused of running an “ingredients house” by kids who are bombarded by the pressures of the consumerist society we live in. That’s why I want to share one of my favorite crunchy mom hacks: AzureWell’s Botanical Body Clay.

Clay: Not Just for Spa Days

This is not just another fancy face mask you will buy, use once, and let expire. This clay is on heavy rotation at our house. It’s made with mineral-rich clays and botanicals designed to pull toxins, oils, and odors right out of the skin. Bonus? It is gentle, nourishing, and actually fun to use!  

Let me tell you how you can turn clay into one of our favorite family bonding rituals.

The Armpit Detox 

By middle-school-age, most kids start to smell like they are training … for a marathon … in the summer … in Texas. Just my kids? To be fair, we live in Texas, but I digress. Why does this work? The minerals in the clay pull out odor-causing bacteria, sweat buildup, skin cells and remaining residues. It is a gentle and natural reset for armpits big and small.

Mama Tip: Make this part of your monthly (or weekly) routine. Add a drop of limonene oil or tea tree oil (for stubborn stink from bacteria). Your laundry and your nose will thank you. Your pre-teen may even thank you, too! 

Botanical Clay Recipe for Armpits:

• 1 tbsp of AzureWell Botanical Body Clay

• 2 tsp filtered water 

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a wooden or stainless steel bowl until you get a smooth paste. Think peanut butter, not clay. Experiment with the clay-to-water ratio until it feels spreadable. 

2. Lovingly summon your teen to the “spa” for treatment.

3. Apply generously using a clean popsicle stick, or they can spread the paste directly on the skin. Cover the whole area.

4. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. It may not dry entirely.

5. Rinse. Doing this pre-shower is a good idea. Showering is an easier removal method, and they can follow with a Castile soap or whatever they normally use to cleanse their skin. 

6. Dry and sniff! If the smell is not totally gone, you can repeat weekly. When used with regular cleaning and natural deodorants, this can be a game changer for the smelly stage.

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Botanical Breakout Buster

Raise your hand if your kid (or you) have stood in front of the mirror in full panic mode because of breakouts. Me too, friend. This clay pack is a lifesaver. It is mild on the skin, but tough on the junk that lies under the surface, clogging pores. You can mix up a little to dab directly on problem areas, or use it as a full face mask. 

For the girls, especially those who want to start experimenting with makeup and skin care products (some of it is full of junk you wouldn’t put on a pancake), this mask is a natural alternative to support healthy skin without toxic chemicals. It is a good lesson that the best skin care is simple, and comes from nature itself. 

Got boys? They are more receptive to using “mud” vs. something marketed to girls. This mask is basic and effective, and no one feels like they have to sneak into their sister’s skincare to tackle a zit. My son ended up enjoying this and would often ask to get in on our self-care routine. 

Sometimes we sit together, mud masks on, and have one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. Messy buns, clay face, and all! 

Mama Tip: If you are in that fun stage of your own life where hormones have you breaking out like a teen, this works for you too! Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the mix. You can mix the clay with aloe instead of water for extra hydration. 

Botanical Clay Recipe for Face:

• 1 tbsp of AzureWell Botanical Body Clay

• 2 tsp filtered water 

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a wooden or stainless steel bowl until you get a smooth paste. Think peanut butter, not clay. Experiment with the clay to water ratio until it feels spreadable. 

2. Lovingly summon your teen to the “spa” for treatment.

3. Apply generously using a clean popsicle stick, or they can spread the paste directly on the skin. Cover the whole area. This is a good thing to do after a shower when pores are open. 

4. Set timer for 10-15 minutes. It does not need to crack and dry, it may not dry entirely. 

5. Rinse. 

6. Gently pat dry. 

7. Follow with a gentle moisturizer if necessary. 

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Motherhood can be challenging, and sometimes you have to turn survival into celebration. At our house, clay masks have made their way into slumber parties, spa nights, and emergency breakout situations over the years. 

There is something grounding about gathering your kids, mixing a little clay, and giving everyone permission to be silly, messy, and human together. You may even get a funny selfie - this one you can cherish, but you probably can’t hang on the fridge! Hopefully at the end of these years when you are launching young adults into the world, you will all not only love each other, but really like each other, too.