A plastic composition adapted for use in contact with the skin, especially in the form of a pad applied to the skin, is manufactured by reacting a mixture of acrylamide-beta methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate copolymer, up to about 10 parts of acrylamide-sodium acrylate copolymer per part of said acrylamide-beta methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate copolymer, said acrylamide-sodium acrylate copolymer containing up to about 4% of sodium acrylate, and ethylene glycol in an amount sufficient to form a semisolid gel, said proportions being by weight. Useful embodiments of the pad include a sealing pad for an ostomy appliance and a skin-covering pad incorporated in a bandage.