[Terminology] Foaming effect
The surfactant (eg: sodium dodecyl sulfate) is added to water, and severely shocks. After solution is still, we can see that a lot of bubbles form. Namely, reflect foaming effect of surfactant.
Foam which surfactant solution forming relates to surface tension of surfactant. It is easy to understand from energy.
Surface tension is not a decisive factor for stability of foam. Typically, stability of foam relates to surface viscosity of surfactant.
Foaming ability of surfactant do not necessarily relate to cleansing ability of surfactant.
In fact, people think that foaming ability of surfactants or detergents is stronger, cleansing ability is stronger. This is a misunderstanding.