Disclosed are compositions for treating and cleansing keratinous substrates, comprising: a polysaccharide; a cationic polymer in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight based on the total weight of the composition; an anionic surfactant chosen from sulfonate surfactants, carboxylic (carboxylate) surfactants, and mixtures thereof; a polyol; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The compositions can additionally contain a glyceryl ester. Also, the compositions have a gel or semi-solid structure and texture. Disclosed are methods of treating and cleansing keratinous substrates using the compositions of the invention.