Topical compositions and methods of using the same

1. A composition in the form of a hydrogel, the hydrogel having a pH in a range of 3 to 5, wherein the hydrogel comprises:

at least one polyhydric alcohol in an amount of about 1% to about 30% by weight of the hydrogel;

at least one viscosity increasing agent in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the hydrogel;

at least one buffer and/or buffering agent, wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent consists essentially of acetic acid, an acetate buffer, hydrochloric acid, a citrate buffer, a citro-phosphate buffer, a phosphate buffer, citric acid, a citrate buffer, lactic acid, a lactic acid buffer, a tartaric acid buffer, malic acid, a malic acid buffer, a glycine/HCl buffer, a saline buffer, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Tris-buffered saline (TBS), Tris-HCl, NaCl, Tween buffered saline (TNT), phosphate buffered saline, Triton X-100 (PBT), a cacodylate buffer, a barbital buffer, a tris buffer, boric acid, succinic acid, or any combination thereof; and

water in an amount of about 70% to about 99% by weight of the hydrogel, and

wherein the hydrogel is devoid of an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one viscosity increasing agent is carboxypolymethylene.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel has a pH of about 4.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent consists essentially of citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, boric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, or any combination thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one neutralizing agent and the at least one neutralizing agent consists essentially of trolamine, tromethamine, aminomethyl propanol, triisopropanolamine, aminomethyl propanol, or any combination thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of the composition.

7. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the at least neutralizing agent is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of the composition.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent consists of acetic acid, an acetate buffer, hydrochloric acid, a citrate buffer, a citro-phosphate buffer, a phosphate buffer, citric acid, a citrate buffer, lactic acid, a lactic acid buffer, a tartaric acid buffer, malic acid, a malic acid buffer, a glycine/HCl buffer, a saline buffer, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Tris-buffered saline (TBS), Tris-HCl, NaCl, Tween buffered saline (TNT), phosphate buffered saline, Triton X-100 (PBT), a cacodylate buffer, a barbital buffer, a tris buffer; boric acid, succinic acid, or any combination thereof.

9. The composition of claim 8 , wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the composition.

10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent consists of citric acid, a citrate buffer, lactic acid, a lactic acid buffer, a tartaric acid buffer, malic acid, a malic acid buffer, boric acid, succinic acid, or any combination thereof.

11. A composition in the form of a hydrogel, the hydrogel having a pH in a range of 3 to 5, wherein the hydrogel consists essentially of:

at least one polyhydric alcohol in an amount of about 1% to about 30% by weight of the hydrogel;

at least one viscosity increasing agent in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the hydrogel;

at least one buffer and/or buffering agent, wherein the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent consists of acetic acid, an acetate buffer, hydrochloric acid, a citrate buffer, a citro-phosphate buffer, a phosphate buffer, citric acid, a citrate buffer, lactic acid, a lactic acid buffer, a tartaric acid buffer, malic acid, a malic acid buffer, a glycine/HCl buffer, a saline buffer, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Tris-buffered saline (TBS), Tris-HCl, NaCl, Tween buffered saline (TNT), phosphate buffered saline, Triton X-100 (PBT), a cacodylate buffer, a barbital buffer, a tris buffer; boric acid, succinic acid, or any combination thereof;

optionally at least one preservative;

optionally at least one neutralizing agent; and

water in an amount of about 70% to about 99% by weight of the hydrogel, and

wherein the hydrogel is devoid of an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the hydrogel consists of the at least one polyhydric alcohol; the at least one viscosity increasing agent; the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent; and the water.

13. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the hydrogel consists of the at least one polyhydric alcohol; the at least one viscosity increasing agent; the at least one buffer and/or buffering agent; the at least one preservative; the at least one neutralizing agent; and the water.

14. The composition of claim 13 , wherein the preservative consists of benzoic acid.