The present invention relates to the use of polyamides in cosmetics which carry sulfonate groups and are obtainable fromA.sub.1) from 0 to 19.9 mol-% of at least one monoaminocarboxylic acid having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, its lactam, or monoaminocarboxylic acid/lactam mixtures,A.sub.2) from 40.05 to 50 mol-% of at least one diamine having 2 to 18 carbon atoms,A.sub.3) from 0.5 to 49.5 mol-% of at least one dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 12 carbon atoms which carries sulfonate groups, andA.sub.4) from 0.5 to 49.5 mol-% of at least one further dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and cosmetic compositions containing said polyamides.