Abstract: The invention discloses a process for the preparation of alkali metal isethionates from ethanol-derived ethionic acid and the use of these isethionates to prepare surface active fatty acyl isethionates. A mixture of calcium hydroxide and alkali metal hydroxide is used to separate the isethionate and the presence of an alkali or an alkali metal soap is required to obtain a light-colored fatty acyl isethionate having a yellowness index less than 10.