Why would Sodium Laureth Sulfate be in a hair mask?

[Keshieshimmer]

I was at TJ Maxx yesterday in search of a deep condotioner. I am a cheapo so I was going to buy the 6.99 Cortex hair mask (which goes for $20 on amazon!) but it had Sodium Laureth Sulfate in it. I though that the chemical was for causing a lather and better stripper of oils in the hair.

I don't want that in my mask!

It is also in this one as well http://www.amazon.com/Stephen-Knoll-New-York-Treatment/dp/B000IEFIC8

 

[Your Cheeziness]

On the Stephen Knoll, it's so low on the list that it's probably barely 1% of the whole product. I believe the overall formulation of a product matters more than a single ingredient that far down. If the ingredient isn't in the first 5 or so ingredients, I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[Tiye]

To make the mask easy to rinse off. Some people have thick hair and don't want to walk around for days with little bits of things that didn't rinse off with the rest of the mask. Also sodium laureth sulfate is mild and if the formula was made by someone who knows what s/he's doing it's harmless.