Alkyl or alkylamido dimethyl 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ammonium salts may be used in hair and skin conditioning compositions and methods to provide improved manageability, static control, and ease of wet and dry combing when applied to hair, particularly human scalp hair, and smooth and lubricated surfaces with pleasant after-feel when applied in topical conditioner compositions to the human skin. The hair conditioning formulations may include styling, cleaning and rinsing compositions such as gels, mousses, sprays, lotions, glazes and shampoos, while the skin conditioning compositions may include moisturizing creams and lotions, bath oils, liquid cleaners, body mousses or bath gels, as well as alcoholic or hydroalcoholic astringents, toners, pre-electric shave conditioners, after-bath splashes and fragrance products. A preferred quaternary according to the invention is oleamidoproyl dimethyl 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, which forms exceptionally stable, clear, dilutable gels.