Surfactants

17 products

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about choosing and using Essentially Natural ingredients.

What does a surfactant do in a skincare or haircare formula?

Surfactants help water and oil interact, and they are mainly used for cleansing, foaming, or solubilising. In this collection, they are commonly used in products like shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and micellar-style formulas.

Are all surfactants harsh on skin?

No. Surfactants vary a lot in strength and feel. Some are chosen for stronger cleansing, while others are milder and better suited to gentle facial or baby-care style formulas.

Can I use one surfactant on its own?

Sometimes, yes, but many formulas work better with a blend. Combining surfactants can help improve mildness, foam quality, cleansing balance, and the overall feel of the finished product.

Are surfactants the same as emulsifiers?

Not exactly. Some ingredients can have overlapping functions, but surfactants are mainly used for cleansing, foaming, or solubilising, while emulsifiers are used to keep oil and water mixed in creams and lotions.

Do surfactants need a preservative?

A surfactant itself is not a preservative. If your finished formula contains water, a suitable preservative is usually still needed to help protect it from microbial growth.

At Essentially Natural, we focus on naturally derived, sulfate-free surfactants that offer effective cleansing while being gentler than harsher detergents such as SLS.

These ingredients can be used to formulate a wide range of products including:

  • shampoos and conditioners
  • facial cleansers and body washes
  • bubble baths and shower gels
  • liquid soaps and household cleaners

Usage guide

  • face wash: <10% (3–7% is ideal)
  • detergent for intimate use: <10%
  • shampoo: 10–15%
  • shower gel: 15–20%
  • bubble bath: 20–25%

These surfactants are suitable for both DIY makers and professional formulators creating personal care and home cleaning products. If you're new to surfactants, our Guides to Surfactants in Cosmetic Formulation explains how different surfactants affect cleansing and foam.