A composition suitable for topical application to the skin or hair, comprises:a. a dialkyl or dialkenyl phosphate salt having the structure (1): ##STR1## and b. a branched or unbranched, monoalkyl or monoalkenyl phosphate salt (or mixtures thereof) having the structure (2): ##STR2## where R.sup.01, R.sup.02 and R.sup.03 are each chosen from branched or unbranched, alkyl or alkenyl groups having an average of from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;X, Y and Z are each chosen from H, alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium counterions; anda, b and c are each chosen from 0 or a value of from 1 to 4;the weight ratio of the monoalkyl or monoalkenyl phosphate salt to the dialkyl or dialkenyl phosphate salt being from 1:1000 to 1:5.