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Emulsifiers are a class of surfactants, which come in many different forms. Surfactants are any materials that interact with surfaces, thus the term surfactant, or surface active agent. In general, true surfactants can be thought of as lowering the surface tension of the bulk liquid, thus allowing it to be more compatible with the hydrophobic material or oil. An emulsifier more interacts with the hydrophobic material, giving it a type of coating, which "hides" the oil from the water, making the surface of the oil more similar or liking of water.

However, there is a fine line between the two terms and they are usually used interchangeably and sometimes are industry specific; food chemists use emulsifier more where industrial chemists use the term surfactant more. This is due to their intended outcome, foods are filled with emulsions while industrial chemistry consists of a lot of cleaners, and fluids that need lubricity or foam, thus surfactants.

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