Increased demand and sustainability concerns for palm derivatives, which include the major plant‐based feedstocks for surfactants in household, personal care, and industrial & institutional (I&I) applications, is anticipated to cause supply concerns over the next decade. This article reviews the impact of the fatty acid alkyl chain length and unsaturation and resulting physical properties from non‐palm feedstocks on formulation, processing, and functionality. Potential adjustments and their limitations are also discussed.