anionic surfactants – compounds that dissociate in aqueous solutions to form anions that cause surface activity;

cationic surfactants – compounds that dissociate in an aqueous solution with the formation of cations that determine surface activity;

amphoteric surfactants – compounds, which in ionic solutions are ionized and behave differently depending on the conditions. Mainly their function is affected by pH – environments. In an acidic solution, such compounds exhibit the properties of cationic surfactants, and in an alkaline solution exhibit the properties of anionic surfactants;

nonionic surfactants – compounds that dissolve in water, not ionizing. The solubility of nonionic surfactants in water is determined by the presence of functional groups in them.