An aqueous shear-thinning personal care composition comprises: (a) at least 3 wt % of a sulfonate compound of general formula (I): where R1 represents a C8-22 alkyl group alkyl group; R2 represents a C1-4 alkyl group; each of R3, R4 and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group; and M+ represents a sodium or potassium cation; (b) at least 3 wt % of an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant; (c) at least 10 wt % of water; and (d) at least 0.5 wt % of an additional component in the form of particles or droplets suspended in the composition. The composition is stable in an aqueous environment and can be formulated with a wide range of additional components.