We hear a lot about surfactants but what are they? Surfactants (short for surface-active agents) are compounds that reduce the surface tension between two substances, such as a liquid and a solid or two immiscible liquids (like oil and water). They help mix, spread, and stabilize different substances.
How Do Surfactants Work?
Surfactants have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail much like a soap molecule. This structure allows them to:
Break up oils and grease (used in detergents and soaps).
Help liquids spread evenly (used in wetting agents).
Create foam and bubbles (used in shampoos and body washes).
Stabilize emulsions (used in lotions and creams).
Types of Surfactants
Anionic Surfactants – Carry a negative charge (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate in shampoos and detergents).
Cationic Surfactants – Carry a positive charge (e.g., benzalkonium chloride in disinfectants).
Nonionic Surfactants – No charge, mild and often used in cosmetics and food (e.g., polysorbates).
Amphoteric Surfactants – Can act as either anionic or cationic, depending on pH (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine in mild cleansers).
Where Are Surfactants Used?
Cleaning products (detergents, soaps, dishwashing liquids)
Personal care (shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste)
Food industry (emulsifiers in ice cream and chocolate)
Pharmaceuticals (drug delivery systems)
Agriculture (pesticides and herbicides)
Oil industry (enhanced oil recovery)
I use BTMS. BTMS is a white, waxy ingredient that comes in small pellets made from rapeseed oil. It is a cationic emulsifying wax that is very conditioning for skin and hair.
BTMS is comprised of behentrimonium methosulfate and cetearyl alcohol. More about that later!
Happy Beauty
Marion X