Abstract: In accordance with a composition aspect of the invention, a composition for applying to skin comprises one or more pharmaceutically active ingredients contained in a plurality of hydrophobic carriers dispersed throughout a hydrogel, a skin permeation enhancer for enhancing the permeation of the active ingredients into skin, and an emulsifier. The amount of hydrogel is sufficient to allow the hydrogel to dry to as a substantially continuous film over and in contact with the skin to which it is applied. Related method and apparatus aspects are also described.