Kin+Kind · Shampoo
kin+kind Charcoal Dog Shampoo
Lower concern, liquid pet shampoo has minimal PFAS risk profile, though brand provides no explicit statement.
Kin+Kind's charcoal dog shampoo is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no obvious formulation requiring PFAS (no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick properties needed). The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS policy. No third-party testing or certification is evident in public sources.
Shop Kin+Kind on Amazon →Material
Water-based liquid shampoo with charcoal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Kin+Kind Charcoal Dog Shampoo is a water-based liquid formulation with activated charcoal as the primary functional ingredient. Charcoal itself is inert and non-toxic; it works by mild abrasion and absorption rather than chemical action. The product is designed for topical animal use only, so systemic absorption hazards are minimal. Water-based liquid shampoos have simpler formulation profiles than solid bars or powder products, reducing the likelihood of concentrated problematic additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kin+Kind markets itself as a pet wellness brand emphasizing natural ingredients but does not publish detailed ingredient safety certifications, third-party testing results, or explicit PFAS avoidance statements. The brand has no widely documented safety recalls or regulatory actions on record for this product line. Transparency is limited compared to premium pet care brands that pursue certifications like USDA Organic or independent safety audits, though absence of disclosed problems is not equivalent to rigorous vetting.
How it compares in its category
Pet shampoos are lower-risk personal care products than human cosmetics because they are not ingested and contact only external skin and fur. Kin+Kind's charcoal formulation sits in the mainstream pet shampoo segment; it lacks the premium certifications of brands like Earthbath or Burt's Bees for pets, but also lacks the chemical complexity of medicated or flea-prevention shampoos. Charcoal as an active ingredient is trendy but functionally equivalent to standard gentle surfactants for most dogs.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent separation or degradation of the water base. Use as directed; do not apply to eyes or broken skin. If your dog has known sensitivities to charcoal or fragrance, patch test on a small area first. Replace if the product shows visible separation, discoloration, or unusual odor, which may indicate microbial contamination or formulation breakdown.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Water-based shampoos may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylated surfactant manufacturing. Kin+Kind does not publish ingredient lists or testing data confirming absence. Risk is low for topical animal use but unknown without transparency.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Product is scented; brand does not specify fragrance type (essential oil vs. synthetic) or component allergens. Dogs with sensitive skin or allergic history may react. Fragrance allergens in pet products are common but variable by formulation.
Preservative contamination and microbial growth
Water-based liquids require preservative systems to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the bottle. Kin+Kind does not disclose preservative type or concentration. If preservative efficacy is inadequate, product could harbor pathogens, particularly if left open or stored improperly.
Skin irritation from charcoal particles or abrasives
Activated charcoal can cause mild irritation or dryness if particle size is too coarse or concentration too high. No recalls or reported incidents for this product, but charcoal-based pet shampoos occasionally trigger itching or flaking in sensitive dogs.
Heavy metals in pigment or mineral additives
Charcoal itself is not a common vector for heavy metals in finished products. No recalls or testing data for Kin+Kind charcoal shampoo indicate contamination. Risk is low for this product type but unconfirmed without third-party assay.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Shampoo
Credo Beauty
Roz Salt Scalp Scrub
salt crystals, mineral-based scrub
Lower-concern buy, salt scrub formulation carries minimal inherent PFAS risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Public Goods Shampoo Refill
aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo
Lower-concern shampoo refill; Puracy's MADE SAFE cert and no-PFAS positioning align, but cosmetic formulation labs are rarely published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Natural Baby Shampoo Body Wash
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients, aqueous solution
Lower PFAS concern, liquid cosmetic with no water-resistant or nonstick triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
More shampoo grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.