Book excerpt: From anti-aging creams to make-up, surfactants play a key role as delivery systems for skin care and decorative cosmetic products. Surfactants in Personal Care Products and Decorative Cosmetics, Third Edition presents a scientific basis in surfactant science and recent advances in the industry necessary for understanding, formulating, and testing surfactant-based cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Presenting a new perspective from the previous edition, this book details the function of emulsions, microemulsions, micelles, and nanostructures in the formulation of personal care products and decorative cosmetics and examines their ability to deliver specific benefits to the skin. This edition begins by describing new research into skin structure and cellular processes. Then it presents the latest methods and techniques for substantiating claims and assessing the effectiveness of moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, and sunscreens. Subsequent chapters focus on surfactant solution properties, surfactant emulsions, nanotechnology, cleanser/conditioner systems, and pigment dispersions. Following a detailed examination on the role of surfactants in finished pigmented products, this edition also discusses optimal formulation strategies and surfactant raw materials for enhancing pigmented products. The third edition of Surfactants in Personal Care Products and Decorative Cosmetics, Third Edition helps formulators identify and overcome the challenges involved in developing new applications and enhancing the benefits of cosmetic and cosmeceutical products.