Surfactants and Cleansing Products

Much has been written about surfactant chemistry and structural functionality.1, 2 In general, products exhibiting some degree of surface activity and the ability to remove soil from a substrate are referred to as cleansing products. Body cleansing has been practiced for thousands of years, primarily with bar soap based on the alkaline salt of a fatty acid. Today, cleansing products are available in solid bar, liquid and gel forms and can be based on alkaline salts and synthetic and natural surfactants. When substituted for alkaline salts, synthetic and natural surfactants improve the foam structure and mildness of formulas.

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