Alkoxylated fatty acids are disclosed herein, as well as methods of making and using such compounds. In some embodiments, the alkoxylated fatty acids are formed from monomers derived from natural oils. In some embodiments, the alkoxylated fatty acids are used as surfactants for making synthetic latex by emulsion polymerization. In some other embodiments, the alkoxylated fatty acids are used as surfactants for making synthetic rubber, such as styrene-butadiene rubber. In some other embodiments, the alkoxylated fatty acids are used as surfactants in a composition for treatment of gas or oil wells, for cleaning applications, for use in various laundry-related applications, for use in personal care compositions, or for use as solvents for coating applications, such as reactive and non-reactive waterborne coating applications.