Why Pine’s Potion Exists

I’ve never believed dogs need to be constantly bathed and scrubbed.

Dogs are meant to live outside. Running through woods, fields, creeks, and beaches. Dirt, mud, and the natural world are part of a healthy life for them. A little dirt on their paws and in their coat is not something that needs to be constantly corrected.

For years my approach was simple: if my dogs came home muddy or sandy, I would just rinse them with fresh water from the hose and let them air dry.

But the more I learned about skin health and the skin microbiome, the more I started questioning even that.

Tap water, including hose water and even softened household water, can contain chlorine, treatment chemicals, mineral residues, and other contaminants that can leave the skin feeling dry and unbalanced over time. A simple water rinse also doesn’t always address the environmental irritants, allergens, or odors dogs pick up after a full day outside.

I wanted something gentle, something that could help remove environmental buildup, calm the skin, and restore balance without stripping the coat or overwhelming a dog’s senses with fragrance.

So I started making herbal infusions at home, for my own guy, Pine.

I slowly infused herbs traditionally used for skin health, added apple cider vinegar, and began using the rinse after long days in the woods, in the ocean, or after field walks. The goal wasn’t to sterilize the skin or make Pine smell like a candle.

It was simply to support the skin’s natural terrain.

Over time I noticed what many people notice when they start supporting the skin rather than constantly stripping it…. the coat became softer, odors balanced out naturally, and the skin stayed calm and resilient.

That simple homemade infusion eventually became Pine’s Potion.

Because dogs deserve to live fully outside and still come home supported.

Skin is Alive

A dog’s skin isn’t meant to be sterilized or stripped… it’s a living ecosystem and an extension of the immune system. The skin barrier hosts a diverse microbiome that works to protect the body, regulate moisture, and defend against environmental stressors. Constant washing with detergents and lathering soaps disrupt this delicate balance, leaving skin dry, irritated, and more vulnerable over time. Pine’s Potion was created to support the skin rather than fight against it.

Formulation Philosophy

Pine’s Potion follows a simple philosophy: work with the body, not against it. Instead of synthetic ingredients designed to override natural processes, this infusion uses raw apple cider vinegar slowly steeped with supportive herbs for several weeks. The result is a concentrated botanical rinse that respects the skin’s natural barrier while offering gentle support after a day spent outdoors.

Essential oils were intentionally left out of this formula. While they’re often added to pet products for fragrance, the scent is largely for us, not for dogs. Pine’s Potion keeps things simple, letting the herbs and vinegar do the work without introducing unnecessary aromatic compounds to a dog’s highly sensitive system.

Ingredient Breakdown

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
The foundation of Pine’s Potion is organic, raw apple cider vinegar. Naturally rich in beneficial acids and enzymes, apple cider vinegar has long been used to support the skin’s natural pH and microbial balance. When diluted and applied topically, it helps refresh the coat, support the skin barrier, neutralize odor and create an environment where the skin’s natural ecosystem can thrive.

Calendula
Calendula is widely respected in traditional herbal care for its gentle skin-supporting properties. It’s often used to help soothe irritated skin and support the body’s natural repair processes, making it a valuable herb for dogs who spend time outdoors.

Rosemary
Rosemary is a resilient plant known for its naturally occurring antioxidant compounds. In topical herbal preparations, it’s traditionally used to support healthy skin and coat while helping maintain balance on the skin’s surface.

English Lavender
Lavender has long been used in botanical skin preparations for its calming qualities. In small amounts, it can help support irritated or sensitive skin while contributing to the overall soothing nature of the infusion.

Nettles
Stinging nettle is a mineral-rich plant traditionally valued for its ability to support skin health. When infused, nettles contribute trace nutrients and plant compounds that help nourish and support the skin barrier.

Plantain Leaf
Plantain is one of the most beloved skin herbs in traditional herbalism. It’s often used to calm irritated skin and support the body’s natural recovery from minor environmental exposures like insect bites, scrapes, and outdoor irritation.

Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is known for its naturally soothing, mucilage-rich compounds. These compounds create a gentle, conditioning effect that can help soften and comfort dry or irritated skin.

Chamomile
Chamomile has a long history of use in calming skin preparations. It’s often used to help soothe sensitive or reactive skin and support overall skin comfort.

*All herbs used in Pine’s Potion are certified organic and sourced in bulk, stored in paper rather than plastic to reduce contamination and preserve quality. The apple cider vinegar is also organic, raw, and unfiltered with the mother, sourced from a small farm and supplied in glass containers rather than plastic. Every sourcing decision is intentional, with a focus on minimizing unnecessary chemical exposure and honoring the small details that contribute to the overall health of our dogs.

When to Avoid Use

While Pine’s Potion is gentle, it should not be used on inflamed or open skin. Avoid contact with the eyes and discontinue use if irritation occurs. Dogs with extremely sensitive skin should begin with a very diluted solution to ensure comfort. For dogs with very light or white coats, it’s also wise to spot test a small area first, as the herbal infusion may cause mild discoloration on some coats.

For dogs with actively inflamed, open, or irritated skin, a better option to have on hand is Pine’s Potion Field Infusion Blend. This allows you to create the herbal infusion at home with the flexibility to include apple cider vinegar or leave it out entirely. For compromised skin, vinegar can sometimes be too stimulating, so a simple water-based herbal infusion may be the more supportive choice.

How to Use

Pine’s Potion is a concentrated herbal infusion and should always be diluted before use. Mix approximately 1 part Pine’s Potion with 5–10 parts water, depending on your dog’s needs.

After rinsing your dog with fresh water—whether from a bath, hose, lake, river or bucket—apply the diluted mixture over the coat and skin.

You can apply the rinse several ways:

Pour Method
Use a jar, measuring cup, or small container to pour the diluted infusion slowly over the coat and skin, working it into areas that need the most support.

Applicator Bottle (Recommended)
For more targeted application, use a squeeze-style applicator bottle with measurement markings. This makes dilution easy and allows you to direct the rinse exactly where you want it—down to the skin, under the coat, and into areas that tend to hold moisture or debris.
(We offer an applicator bottle as an optional add-on for this purpose.)

Spray Method
The diluted infusion can also be added to a glass spray bottle and used between baths or rinses. Lightly mist the coat to refresh, help deodorize, nourish the coat, and provide gentle botanical support after outdoor adventures. The herbs and apple cider vinegar may also offer mild pest-repelling effects.

After application, allow the coat to air dry without rinsing so the infusion can remain on the skin and coat.