A glyoxal and boron free purified cationic polygalactomannan may be prepared by reacting a polygalactomannan flour, a nonionically derivatized polygalactomannan flour, or a mixture thereof, with a cationising reagent, adjusting the pH to be from about 4 to about 6; cross-linking the cationic with glyoxal, and filtering and water washing the cationic polygalactomannan to produce a glyoxalated purified cationic polygalactomannan containing not more than 70% by weight of water. In some cases it may be desirable to introduce a buffering agent to the glyoxalated purified cationic polygalactomannan to regulate the pH to from 8.0 to about 9.5, when measured at 1% (dry matter) in water. In other cases, it may be desirable to remove water to produce glyoxal free purified cationic polygalactomannan in powder form. Such compounds are particularly useful in personal care products.