Find out what ‘TFM’ in your soap means

Soaps or cleansing bars are a staple part of our daily hygiene regimen since water alone is not enough for a thorough cleanse. But have you ever paid attention to what your soap contains?

Know your soaps and their ingredients

Generally, TFM or Total Fatty Material in soaps helps gauge their quality. “The fatty matter in the soap is usually derived from ingredients like palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and sodium oleate. TFM is a crucial factor in understanding the effectiveness of the soap and how it affects the health of particular individuals. Generally soaps with higher quantities of TFM are considered better quality with improved cleansing properties,” said Dr Rinky Kapoor, consultant dermatologist, cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics.

Soap with higher TFM — also known as toilet soap — is mainly made with palm oil with high PH levels and strong cleansing properties. “Some might experience their skin getting dry due to the higher PH level of the soap,” added Dr Kapoor.

On the other hand, Syndet soaps are made with blends of synthetic surfactants with comparatively low TFM and PH levels, minimising the damage caused to the skin, said Dr Kapoor. “Syndet soap bars are often marketed as ‘soap-free bars’ or ‘dermatological bars’, and are highly recommended to people with sensitive skin and even babies,” said Dr Kapoor.

Ensure you know your soaps well (Source: Freepik)

What should you pick?

Dr Mukta Sachdev, HOD, dermatology, Manipal Hospital and medical director, MS Skin Centre said that soap bars typically contain around 70 per cent TFM or palm oil. “However, studies have shown that less than 25 per cent of the oil is actually needed to create the lather and cleansing properties we expect from a soap. The rest simply gets rubbed off and washed down the drain, serving no purpose other than providing structure to the bar,” said Dr Sachdev.

According to Dr Sachdev, findings from various research, including a recent article in the prestigious Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, has clearly shown that TFM does not directly impact the sensory or functional performance of a soap bar. “In fact, even with a 25 per cent reduction in TFM, bathing bars can still deliver the same cleansing and hygiene benefits,” said Dr Sachdev.

 

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According to Dr Sachdev, low TFM bathing bars have the potential to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 35-40 per cent compared to their high TFM counterparts, making them a sustainable choice for personal hygiene and the planet. “It’s crucial to recognise that approximately 85 per cent of a soap’s environmental footprint comes from its ingredients, which also largely determines its total life cycle impact. This underscores the significant role that low TFM bathing bars can play in reducing the GHG footprint,” said Dr Sachdev.

Low TFM bathing bars can actually deliver superior value, health, and beauty benefits. “These soaps enhance the user experience with the incorporation of skin-benefit ingredients that can strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, making them a sustainable and skin-friendly choice,” shared Dr Sachdev.

Moreover, low TFM cleansing bars can be designed with plant-based ingredients and other sustainable ingredients to be a preferred choice both from a sensory clinical, and environmental point of view, added Dr Sachdev. “Checking the label or ingredient list on the back side of the soap can help you determine the TFM levels present in your soap. For a better understanding of the TFM levels consult your doctors for expert guidance in choosing the best quality of soap while ensuring the safety of your skin,” said Dr Kapoor.

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