Provided are compositions comprising low molecular weight polymeric materials andsurfactants having reduced irritation associated therewith, methods of reducingthe irritation associated with a personal care composition comprising an anionicand/or amphoteric surfactant, the methods comprising combining a low molecularweight polymeric material capable of binding a surfactant thereto with an anionicsurfactant to produce a reduced irritation personal care composition, and methodsof using such compositions to cleanse the hair or skin with reduced irritation.