Methods and compositions are provided for forming ester based compositions. The ester based compositions may be used in consumer products. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing acyl alkylisethionate esters by the esterification of a sulfonate composition having two or more sulfonate isomers with fatty acid(s). In another aspect, a method is provided for forming an ester based composition including a blend of acyl alkylisethionate and acylisethionate esters.