Personal cleansers and surfactant blends useful therein are disclosed. The cleansers comprise a primary anionic surfactant, a saturated C8-C-14 alkyl N,N-dialkylamide, and water. The cleansers have good foaming properties and improved viscosity build profiles compared with cleansers that rely on alkanolamides or betaines as the secondary surfactant. The saturated C8-C14 alkyl N,N-dialkylamides are water-white liquids that solubilize cleanser components well, including high levels of fragrances, and can be formulated easily without heating at any actives level up to 100%. Importantly, the surfactant blends build viscosity with less added salt compared with alkanolamide or betaine-based blends, even with more challenging anionic surfactants. Moisturizing cleansers disclosed herein have excellent flash foaming character, foam volume, and foam feel and provide a luxurious, lotion-like after-feel. The personal cleansers include, among others, shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, shower gels, liquid soaps, hand soaps, baby liquid cleansers, pet shampoos, and bubble baths. The fatty N,N-dialkylamides are also valuable for formulating oil-in-water emulsions with good stability.
