Methods for spore removal comprising a polysorbate surfactant and cationic antimicrobial mixture

A method for removing spores from skin, the method comprising:

• A) contacting a skin surface with a composition, the composition comprising:
• a) water in an amount not less than 40 wt % by weight of the composition;
• b) a polysorbate surfactant in an amount not less than 0.5 wt % and not greater than 5 wt %;
• c) a polymeric anionic thickener in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 4 wt %, the polymeric anionic thickener being selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, alginic acid, xanthan gum, a polyacrylic acid, and a combination thereof;
• and
• d) a cationic antimicrobial in an amount from about 0.04 wt % to about 4 wt %, the cationic antimicrobial being selected from CHG and PHMB, wherein:
• i) the composition excludes ethanol;
• ii) the composition is free of non-ionic thickener;
• iii) the composition is free of non-cationic antimicrobials;
• and
• iv) the composition is a solution;
• and
• B) mechanically acting on the skin surface for at least one (1) second while the skin surface is in the presence of the composition;
• and
• C) removing at least a portion of the composition from the surface of the skin, wherein spores are removed from the skin surface upon removing the composition, and wherein the composition is effective to remove spores at an average log 10 reduction value that is greater than an average log 10 reduction value for removal of spores with water alone.