The presence of surfactants alters fundamentally both equilibrium and dynamical features of capillary systems (drops, bubbles, jets…). Here, we revise theoretically and experimentally paradigmatic problems of the field.

The magnified videos show the formation of the satellite droplet in a breakup process of a pendant drop. The right (left) video correspond to a clean (surfactant-laden) pendant drop. The surfactant monolayer in the satellite droplet prevents the emission of a secondary droplet.