Why is it important to check the TFM value of your bathing soap?

Soap bars (toilet soaps/bathing bars) are a staple part of our daily hygiene regimen. The invigorating sensation of water alone is not enough for a thorough cleanse; we need the aid of trusted cleansing bars. Among all beauty and personal care products, soaps are considered one of the most accessible and economical options.
According to a study by IMARC Group, the soap bar market in India has been expanding and is projected to grow at a rate of 3.36% from 2024 to 2032.Several factors are driving this growth, such as rising awareness about hygiene, especially considering the increase in infectious diseases that can be countered by washing hands with soap and water. Moreover, the fact that well-designed soaps and bathing bars can actively contribute to skin care is also fueling market expansion.

Consumers often judge the quality of soap based on its grade, which ranges from grade 1 to grade 3. The higher the grade, the better the perceived quality. This assessment is primarily based on the soap's Total Fatty Matter (TFM) content, which represents the cumulative amount of fatty substances within the bar. However, this approach leads to a common misconception that higher TFM automatically translates to better quality.
In reality, low TFM bathing bars can actually deliver superior value, health, and beauty benefits. These innovative 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.
Primarily made from palm oil, high TFM soaps are praised for their cleansing ability, but it's important to note that reducing TFM content does not significantly affect a soap's effectiveness or sensory attributes. A separate Bathing Bar Specification (IS 13498) is available which states that a “compositional standard based primarily on the total fatty matter (TFM) does not necessarily correspond to the performance of toilet soaps” and this specification also “ensures the performance and safety of the product to the consumer on use”. This challenges the notion that high TFM soaps are superior to lower TFM bathing bars.
Balancing the increasing demand for palm oil with minimizing its environmental impact presents a major challenge for brands, companies, and countries globally.
The truth about TFM content
Soap bars typically contain around 70% TFM or oil. However, studies have shown that less than 25% of the oil is actually needed to create the lather and cleansing properties we expect from soap. The rest simply gets rubbed off and washed down the drain, serving no purpose other than providing structure to the bar.
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% reduction in TFM, bathing bars can still deliver the same cleansing and hygiene benefits.
Low TFM bathing bars have the potential to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 35% to 40% compared to their high TFM counterparts, making them a sustainable choice for personal hygiene and the planet.3 It's crucial to recognize that approximately 85% 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.
Low TFM cleansing bars can be designed with plant-based ingredients and other sustainable ingredients to be a preferred choice both from a sensory and clinical, and an environmental point of view. Therefore, integrating these bathing bars into one's skincare regimen could yield significant benefits. Horizontal performance-based standards (such as those for bathing bars) which encompass in-use criteria of product safety and cleaning efficacy deserve consideration to dispel myths about higher TFM being superior.
Steering progress with conscious choices
Armed with this knowledge, the next time you consider a bathing bar, make a conscious choice. When a bathing bar is designed optimally, Total Fatty Matter is not directly correlated with its effectiveness or sensory attributes. Even when the TFM content is reduced significantly, a well-designed bar gives you equal if not better sensory and clinical benefits.
Ultimately, every purchase contributes to shaping the world we live in, so it's essential to make informed decisions based on scientifically proven evidence.
(Author: Dr. Mukta Sachdev, HOD, Dermatology, Manipal Hospital and Medical Director, MS Skin Centre)