A hydrophilic silica/polymer blend is provided comprising (a) a hydrophilic silica powder; and (b) a thickening polymer powder, comprising (i) structural units of C4-8 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer; (ii) structural units of (meth)acrylic acid monomer; (iii) structural units of (methoxy) poly(ethylene glycol) (meth)acrylate monomer; and (iv) structural units of multiethylenically unsaturated monomer; wherein the weight ratio of hydrophilic silica powder to thickening polymer powder in the hydrophilic silica/polymer blend is 1:9 to 9:1. Also provided are personal care compositions containing same and methods of using same.