A cationic, oxidized polysaccharide or derivative thereof that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 50,000 and an upper limit of 1,000,000 and an aldehyde functionality content of at least 0.001 meq/gram is used in personal care and household care compositions. This cationic, oxidized polysaccharide is prepared in continuous or batch processes using hydrolytic reagents, oxidizing reagents, or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. Personal care or household care compositions are prepared by adding the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide to a personal care or household composition containing at least one active ingredient other than the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide of this invention.