Great question. Some ingredients in conditioners—like Stearalkonium Chloride—are technically classified as surfactants, but they don’t act as cleansers. In conditioners, these surfactants are used for conditioning, detangling, reducing frizz, and helping the formula stay stable and creamy. They help the product stick to your hair, smooth the cuticle, and make it easier to comb. So while they’re called surfactants in chemistry, their job in a conditioner is to nourish and soften, not to wash.