The present invention relates to a substrate having one or more antimicrobial or antistatic properties. Such properties are imparted by applying a coating or film formed from a cationically-charged polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a noncationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer capable of providing a cationic charge to the polymer composition. Optionally, the polymer composition includes a steric stabilization component incorporated into the cationically-charged polymer composition. The present invention also relates to a personal care product and polymeric material comprising a base polymer blended with the above cationically-charged polymer composition.