FIELD: cosmetics and dermatology. SUBSTANCE: invention can be used for caring for skin, hair, eyelashes, brows, nails, and mucous membranes. Surfactant-free composition contains at least one cross-linked polymer: poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropansulfonic acid) neutralized to at least 90%. Polymer includes, stochastically located, 90 to 99.9 wt % of units depicted by formula: 
, wherein X+ is cation or cation mixture and protons can constitute no more than 10% of cations X+, and 0.01 to 10 wt % of units of at least one cross-linking monomer containing at least olefinic bonds. Composition can additionally include aqueous or lipophilic gel-forming agents and/or thickeners, hydrophilic or lipophilic active substances, preservatives, antioxidants, perfumes, hydrating agents, fillers, sun fillers, bactericides, anti-dandruff agents, and other substances. EFFECT: provided stability of composition with no use of surfactants provoking undesired irritation of skin, its roughness and stickiness. 20 cl, 5 ex
