Topical germicidal compositions for application to the epidermis comprise: 50-85% wt, of an alcohol constituent comprising one or more C1-C4 monohydric alcohols, and preferably wherein ethanol comprises the bulk of the alcohol constituent; a humectant, a cationic polymer constituent, preferably a Polyquaternium type cationic polymer; an anionic opacifier constituent, optionally, one or more further constituents for improving the aesthetic or other technical features of the invention; and, water, wherein the composition is flowable and preferably also exhibits an initial viscosity (“as.mixed”) of 10-100,000 cP at 25° C., and subsequent to being stored at elevated temperatures and/or extended time intervals are retained as a single phase composition and do not split or separate into two or more phases, and further wherein, the cationic polymer constituent (and where present, further cationic compounds) and the anionic opacifier constituent, are present in respective weight ratios of in the range of at least about 0.9:1.