The efficiency of three complex surfactants based on sunflower oil and nitrogen containing compounds as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in $CO_2$-saturated 1% NaCl solution, has been determined by weight loss and LPR corrosion rate measurements. These compounds inhibit corrosion even at very low concentrations. The inhibition process was attributed to the formation of an adsorbed film on the metal surface that protects the metal against corrosive media. The inhibition efficiency increases with increasing the concentration of the studied inhibitors. Maximum inhibition efficiency of the surfactants is observed at concentrations around its critical micellar concentration (CMC). Adsorption of complex surfactants on the mild steel surface is in agreement with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, and the calculated Gibbs free energy values confirm the chemical nature of the adsorption. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence microscopy (EDRF) observations of the electrode surface confirmed the existence of such an adsorbed film.