A mild cleansing composition is disclosed. The composition includes a from about 3.5 percent to about 8.5 percent of an anionic surfactant; from about 0.1 percent to about 3 percent of a hydrophobically modified, crosslinked, anionic acrylic copolymer; and c) from about 1 percent to about 25 percent of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the weight ratio of component a) to component b) is about 1:1 to about 25:1. The composition is useful as shampoos, washes, baths, gels, lotions, creams, and the like.