Surface-active agents, often known as surfactants, are substances that reduce the surface tension between two liquids, a liquid and a solid, or a gas and a liquid. Because their molecules have both a water-loving (hydrophilic) head and a water-fearing (hydrophobic) tail, they are crucial in many products as they enable water to interact with oils and grease. In personal care, surfactants are surface-active substances that lower the surface tension between water and oil, enabling them to combine and carry out essential tasks including foaming, emulsifying, and cleaning. They contribute to the texture, froth, and stability of products and are used in shampoos, body washes, soaps, and conditioners to efficiently remove dirt and oil. Different kinds of surfactants are employed for different purposes; some are better for conditioning or making stable emulsions, while others are better for cleaning. Due to their safety, environmental advantages, and similar or better functional qualities, microbial biosurfactants and plant-based alternatives are increasingly seen as the best alternatives to synthetic surfactants in cosmetics. In this chapter, we review the basic properties of surfactants with specific focus on their use as cleansers in household and personal care applications.