Methods for improving the foaming properties of cleansing and foaming formulations for topical use are presented. The methods comprise including in the formulation an effective amount of a polyol glycoside or a mixture of polyol glycosides of formula (I) R1—O-(G)x-H, in which x is a decimal number between 1 and 5, G is a reducing sugar and R1 is a radical of formula (A) —CH2—(CHOH)n—CH2—OH, in which n is an integer equal to 2, 3 or 4, or R1 is a radical of the formula (B) —(CH2—CHOH—CH2—O)m—H, in which m is an integer equal to 1, 2 or 3. Compositions containing compounds of formula (I) and methods of preparing the compositions are also presented. The methods and compositions can be applied to cosmetics and dermapharmaceuticals.