The Basics On Surfactant
What is Surfactant?
Shortened term for surface active agent. Surfactants degrease and emulsify oils and fats.
What are other names for Surfactant?
N/A
What is Surfactant used for?
The term “Surfactant” is shorthand for the more cumbersome “surface active agent” as a group of compounds that have the ability to modify the interface between various phases1. Surfactants are any ingredients that lower tension between a surface and a liquid or between two or more immiscible substances. Different types of surfactants are found in facial cleansers, soaps, body washes, shampoos, and emulsions. There is normally a polar (hydrophilic) part of the surfactant molecule that can be expected to be oriented towards the polar (hydrophilic) phase. Similarly, there is a nonpolar (lipophilic) portion of the surfactant molecule that should contact the nonpolar phase (lipophilic) phase1. Each molecule has a tendency to reach across (bridge) across the two phases and the substances have therefore been called amphiphilic1. An amphiphilic molecule must, therefore, have one polar portion and one nonpolar portion1. Surfactants work by becoming embedded in both oil and water substances. They do this by having molecules with an oil-loving tail and a water-loving head. Surfactants are some of the most versatile ingredients in skin care, playing numerous roles in cosmetic formulations. They can act as detergents for cleansing, wetting agents for better spreadability, foaming agents to produce luxurious suds, emulsifiers to create stable mixtures of oil and water, conditioning agents to improve the appearance of hair and skin, solubilizers to help mix fragrances and essential oils into water-based formulas, preservatives to keep cosmetics microbe-free, and special effects to improve the look of certain formulas. Some examples of surfactants are: sodium or ammonium lauryl or laureth sulphate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium lauroyl or cocoyl sarcosinate Cocamidopropyl betaine (coco betaine), triethanolamine (TEA) compounds, diethanolamine (DEA) compounds, monoethanolamine (MEA) compounds, polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds, Quaternium -7, 15, 31, 60, lauryl or cocoyl sarcosine disodium oleamide or dioctyl sulfosuccinate.
How Surfactant is classified
Cleansing Agents
Recommendations for using Surfactant during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Limited data suggests no known risk
Surfactant During Pregnancy
What we know about using Surfactant while pregnant or breastfeeding
Limited information available.
N/A
General safety info about Surfactant from CIR
No report found.
Use this, not that!
Products where you might find Surfactant
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser;Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser;Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Triple Detox Shampoo;innisfree Green Tea Hydrating Cleansing Foam;innisfree Green Tea Hydrating Cleansing Oil
List of References
General sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
1. Rieger MM, Rhein LD. Surfactants in Cosmetics. Vol 68. 2nd ed. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.; 1997. Related Articles: Glossary: Caffeic Acid Glossary: Hydroxyethyl cellulose Glossary: Stearyl alcohol Glossary: Diethanolamine Glossary: Cocoamide DEA Glossary: Decyl glucoside Glossary: Sodium laureth sulfate Glossary: Cetyl Alcohol Glossary: Cetostearyl Alcohol Glossary: Stearic Acid
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
