A mild cleansing composition is disclosed. The composition includes a from about 1 percent to about 8 percent of an anionic surfactant; and from about 0.1 percent to about 3 percent of a hydrophobically modified, crosslinked, anionic acrylic copolymer, wherein the weight ratio of component a) to component b) is about 1:1 to about 20:1 and wherein the composition is substantially free of non-ionic surfactants. The compositions are useful as shampoos, washes, baths, gels, lotions, creams, and the like.