Surfactants in shampoo & conditioner – explained by Dalarnas EKO

What are surfactants – and why are they important in shampoo bars and conditioners?

When talking about shampoo, conditioner and skin care, one word often comes up: surfactants . But what does it really mean, and why are they so important in our shampoo bars and conditioner bars ? Here we explain the concept.

What are surfactants?

A surfactant is a substance that can dissolve dirt and grease – and in this way clean hair, skin and surfaces. You use surfactants every day, without always thinking about it. Soap, for example, is a classic anionic surfactant , which cleans effectively.

Surfactants have a unique structure: one part of the molecule likes water and the other part likes fat. This allows them to encapsulate dirt and oil so that they can be washed away with the water.

Surfactants in shampoo

Anionic surfactants are most often used in shampoos and shampoo bars . A common example is SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) – a mild but effective surfactant that cleanses the hair without drying out the scalp. Unlike stronger sulfates, SCI is gentler, and therefore perfect in premium shampoos that are intended to preserve both the hair's moisture and shine.

Surfactants in conditioners

Did you know that conditioners also contain surfactants? The difference is that conditioners use cationic surfactants . They are positively charged and act almost like a magnet to the surface of the hair, which is negatively charged. The result is soft, supple and easy to comb hair. That's why your hair feels smooth and shiny after conditioner.

Other types of surfactants

In addition to the cleansing and conditioning surfactants, there are also non-ionic surfactants . These are often used as “auxiliary surfactants” to balance the cleansing and make the products extra mild. The combination of different surfactants allows you to create shampoos and conditioners that both cleanse effectively and at the same time take care of the scalp.

That's why we choose mild surfactants in our products.

At Dalarnas EKO, the choice of surfactants is crucial. We use carefully selected, mild surfactants that are kind to hair, skin and the environment – ​​without compromising on the result. Our shampoo bars and conditioner bars are formulated to give a professional feel with natural ingredients, where the hair is clean, soft and fresh without unnecessary additives.