Aqueous Gels

The invention provides an aqueous gel comprising: a) from 0.5 to 5 wt% dispersed modified cellulose biopolymer, wherein the modification consists of the cellulose having its C6 primary alcohols oxidised to carboxyl moieties (acid/COOH-) on 10 to 70% of the glucose units and substantially all the remainder of the C6 positions occupied by unmodified primary alcohols; b) a water-soluble or water-miscible organic non-solvent for the modified cellulose biopolymer; c) 0 to 10 wt% non-surfactant electrolyte, and d) water; in which the aqueous gel comprises less than 3 wt% oil phase ingredients. The aqueous gels of the invention offer excellent tactile properties, in particular superior skin feel and reduced stickiness. Furthermore, the gels have thixotropic properties, allowing their usage in pumpable or sprayable formats. They also provide sufficient structure for the suspension of a variety of particulate materials.