Uses of polymers including monomeric units based on salts of itaconic acid as film formers are disclosed. The polymers confer good film-forming characteristics to the compositions to which they are added, making them suitable for use in cosmetic and personal care product, in particular those that are applied to the skin, hair or nails. The polymers offer a variety of benefits to the products into which they are incorporated, increasing their performance, longevity or adhesion to the human body and improving their feel or appearance during use. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the polymers and the cosmetic and personal care compositions.