The present invention is directed to compositions comprising polymeric tertiary amines of urethane esters and salts thereof. The compositions are generally derived from linear or branched chain compounds of synthetic or natural origin, preferably from trialkalnolamines that have been esterified with organic acids including long chain fatty acids and reacted with diisocyanate compounds to form urethane adducts. These adducts are in turn polymerized with organic acids to form polymeric urethane ester tertiary amine salts. The compositions of the present invention may be incorporated into personal care formulations such as cosmetics, toiletries and shampoos and into detergents to improve or modify at least two of the characteristics of such formulations.