A composition of a cationic polygalactomannan or a derivative of cationic polygalactomannans is provided that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 5,000 and an upper limit of 200,000 and has a light transmittance in a 10% aqueous solution of greater than 80% at a light wavelength of 600 nm and a protein content of less than 1.0% by weight of polysaccharide, and aldehyde functionality content of at least of 0.01 meq/gram. This composition is prepared in continuous or batch processes using either oxidizing reagents or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. This composition is used in personal care and household care products.