Foaming agent

A foaming agent is a material that facilitates the formation of foam such as a surfactant or a blowing
agent. A surfactant, when present in small amounts, reduces surface tension of a liquid (reduces the
work needed to create the foam) or increases its colloidal stability by inhibiting coalescence of
bubbles. A blowing agent is a gas that forms the gaseous part of the foam.

Sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), is a detergent and surfactant found in
many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, etc.). It is an inexpensive and effective
foamer. Sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS) and ammonium lauryl
sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.

There are two main types of blowing agents: gases at the temperature that the foam is formed, and
gases generated by chemical reaction. Carbon dioxide, pentane, and chlorofluorocarbons are
examples of the former. Blowing agents that produce gas via chemical reactions include baking
powder, azodicarbonamide, titanium hydride, and isocyanates (when they react with water).

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foaming_agent)