TL;DR: PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are a family of synthetic compounds used in some cosmetics and personal care products for water resistance and smooth texture — and they don't break down in the body or the environment. Recent testing found PFAS in hundreds of personal care products, often without being disclosed on the label, and newer research shows these chemicals can be absorbed through skin. Baby bath products aren't the biggest source of exposure, but it's still worth knowing what to look for. The good news: avoiding them is simpler than it sounds once you know the names to watch for.
If you've started seeing headlines about "forever chemicals" showing up in baby products, formula, and everyday cosmetics, you're not imagining the uptick — it's a real and growing area of research. And if your first thought was "wait, what does that have to do with my baby's bath time," you're asking exactly the right question.
You already read labels. You already know that "natural" doesn't always mean much and that the real story is in the ingredient list. PFAS are trickier than most ingredients you're used to screening for, because they're often not named plainly — and that's the part worth understanding.
What Are PFAS, Exactly?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — a large family of manufactured chemicals built around a carbon-fluorine bond that is extremely difficult to break down. That's why they've earned the nickname "forever chemicals": they persist in the environment and in the body rather than degrading over time. In personal care products, PFAS have historically been added to improve water resistance, create a smoother "slip," or extend wear time.
Are PFAS Actually Common in Baby and Personal Care Products?
More than 50 different PFAS ingredients have been identified across roughly 1,700 personal care products, based on FDA-reported data reviewed by the Environmental Working Group in early 2026. They show up most often in long-wear or water-resistant formulas — think waterproof mascara, long-lasting foundation, or lip products — where the same water-resistant chemistry that keeps makeup in place has been used in the past. Baby-specific bath products are a smaller slice of that picture, but the concern isn't zero: some lotions and "water-resistant" formulas marketed for kids have used similar chemistry, and testing has shown that PFAS often go undisclosed even when detectable levels are present.
Can Forever Chemicals Actually Be Absorbed Through the Skin?
For a long time, the assumption was that skin acted as a solid barrier against PFAS. Newer research complicates that picture. Studies on dermal absorption have found that PFAS can penetrate skin and reach the bloodstream, with shorter-chain PFAS variants absorbed more readily than longer-chain ones. That doesn't mean every lotion or wash poses a meaningful risk — dose, formulation, and frequency of use all matter — but it does mean "it just sits on top of the skin" isn't a reliable assumption anymore.
Why Don't PFAS Just Show Up on the Ingredient Label?
This is the part that trips up even careful label readers. PFAS aren't usually listed as "PFAS." They show up under specific chemical names, and testing has found that many products containing detectable fluorine — a marker for PFAS — didn't list any PFAS-related ingredient on the label at all. Names to watch for include anything with "fluoro" or "perfluoro" in it, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and compounds like C9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate or polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether. If a product's marketing leans on words like "waterproof," "long-wear," or "second-skin," it's worth a closer label check.
What's Changing on the Regulatory Side?
Momentum is building. In 2026, Pennsylvania's House passed a bipartisan bill (House Bill 2145) that would ban PFAS in baby products, cosmetics, menstrual products, and dental floss. France has moved forward with its own restrictions on PFAS in cosmetics. This is very much a live, evolving issue — which is exactly why ingredient transparency from brands matters more than a label that simply says "clean."
How Can You Reduce PFAS Exposure From Your Baby's Bath Routine?
You don't need to overhaul your whole routine overnight. A few practical steps go a long way: skip products marketed as waterproof or long-wear for kids (a baby's bath products have no reason to need that kind of performance chemistry), scan labels for "fluoro" or "perfluoro" prefixes and PTFE, and favor brands that publish a full, plain-language ingredient list rather than leaning on vague "clean" or "natural" claims. At Kindred Naturals, our Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is built around soapwort — a plant-based cleanser — instead of synthetic performance additives, so there's no water-resistant or long-wear chemistry to question in the first place. Transparent ingredient lists exist so you don't have to guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PFAS in simple terms?
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals used in some cosmetics, cookware, and textiles for water and stain resistance. They're called "forever chemicals" because they resist breaking down in the environment and the body.
Are PFAS in baby shampoo or baby lotion?
PFAS are found more often in long-wear cosmetics like waterproof mascara and foundation, but they've also been detected in some lotions and water-resistant formulas, including a few marketed for children. Checking the label for fluoro or perfluoro ingredient names is the most reliable way to check a specific product.
How do I know if a product contains PFAS if it's not labeled?
Look for ingredient names containing "fluoro" or "perfluoro," as well as PTFE. Products marketed as waterproof, long-wear, or "second-skin" are more likely to use this type of chemistry, even when it isn't spelled out clearly on the label.
Can PFAS actually get into the bloodstream through skin contact?
Recent research shows PFAS can penetrate skin and reach the bloodstream, with shorter-chain variants absorbed more readily. This is an active area of research, and exposure risk depends on the specific chemical, formulation, and how often a product is used.
Is Kindred Naturals free of PFAS?
Our Baby Shampoo & Body Wash and Magnesium Lotion are formulated around plant-based ingredients like soapwort, without the synthetic water-resistant or long-wear additives that PFAS are typically added to achieve. You can see our full ingredient list on each product page at shopkindrednaturals.com.
Ingredient research can feel like it never ends — but you don't need to memorize every chemical name to protect your family. You just need to know what questions to ask and which brands are willing to answer them plainly. That's the whole point of reading labels in the first place: not fear, just clarity.
If you're ready to simplify your baby's routine with a wash built on transparency instead of guesswork, you can explore our Baby Shampoo & Body Wash and Magnesium Lotion at shopkindrednaturals.com.
Written by Mike & Carly Pronsky, founders of Kindred Naturals.