Abstract: Provided is a topical formulation comprising (1) three or more of the following four components a through d, or (2) component c and one or more of components a, b or d: (a) a skin barrier repair formulation comprising fatty acid, bilayer-stabilizing steroid, and complex lipid (CL), wherein the weight ratio of CL to steroid is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1, and the weight ration of CL to FA is from about 4:1 to about 1:1, the lipids present in an amount from about 3% wt. to about 10% wt.; (b) a natural moisturizer formulation, wherein the natural moisturizers are urea, urocanic acid, pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, lactic acid or free amino acid; (c) one or more retinoids in an amount from about 0.01% wt. to about 10% wt.; or (d) taurine in an amount from about 0.1% wt. to about 5% wt.