Abstract: Novel compositions comprising one or more of an acid protease and an acidic buffer, the acidic buffer comprising an acid and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient, useful for treating or preventing abnormal biological conditions, diseases or disorders, and/or for improving the texture or appearance of the skin, and/or for enhancing epidermal exfoliation and/or for enhancing epidermal cell renewal and to methods for the use of the compositions. The acid protease comprises one or more proteolytic enzymes which exhibit proteolytic activity at pH values below that of the surface of the skin, i.e., approximately pH 5.5. The acidic buffer comprises inorganic and/or organic acids or mixtures thereof with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient. The buffer is capable of reducing the pH of the surface of the skin to less than pH 5.5 and is susceptible to neutralization by normal epidermal processes.