Guides / Surfactants
Surfactants
Surfactants cleanse by lifting oils and debris into water. The blend decides foam, mildness, and after-feel more than any single hero INCI.
Building a chassis
Primary anionics provide foam and soil removal; amphoterics and nonionics tune mildness and viscosity. Micellar waters and cream cleansers use different ratios than gel washes.
Sensory and irritation
Harshness tracks with concentration, residual surfactant, and barrier status — not only the surfactant class. Rinse profile and pH still matter.
Selection prompts
Define foam target, clarity vs pearl, sulfate policy, and fragrance load before locking the surfactant ladder.