Topical aqueous liquid compositions for application to the epidermis which provide a germicidal benefit thereto comprising: 0.02- 10% wt. of a germicidally effective amount of a quaternary ammonium surfactant compound, 0.1 -25%wt. of at least one anionic surfactant constituent which excludes anionic surfactants of the sulfate and sulfonate types, 0.1 - 15%wt. of a cationic conditioner constituent, 0 - 10%wt. of a foam stabilizer constituent； at least 70%wt. of water, and optionally one or more of optional constituents which may be used to impart an aesthetic benefit, e.g., color, fragrance, or a further technical benefit, e.g., viscosity adjustment, to the liquid compositions, characterized in that: (a) the weight ratio of the germicidally effective quaternary ammonium and cationic conditioner constituent to the anionic surfactant constituent is not less than 0.6； and/or, (b) the weight ratio of the germicidally effective quaternary ammonium surfactant compound to the cationic conditioner constituent is less than 0.14； and/or, (c) the ratio of the cationic conditioner constituent to the anionic surfactant constituent is at least 0.5； and, (d) the pH of the liquid composition is between about 3.5 and about 7.5.
