A surfactant composition for use for applying a permanent hydrophilic finish to textile fibers and textile products manufactured therefrom contains 40 to 90% by weight of a mixture of at least one non-ionic surfactant and optionally at least one anionic surfactant and/or one cationic surfactant, and up to 60% by weight of a hydrophobic additive. The hydrophobic additive comprises at least one compound of the group of fatty acid esters, vegetable oils and fats, and mixtures thereof.