TOPICAL COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE

1 . A topical composition comprising succinic acid, one or more nonionic surfactants, one or more viscosity enhancers and one or more permeation enhancers.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of poloxamers, polysorbates, cyclodextrins, alkylaryl polyethers, polyoxyethyleneglycol alkyl ethers, tyloxapol, and polyoxyls.

3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of poloxamer 188, poloxamer 407, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, 2-HP-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylether β-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 30 castor oil, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, polyoxyl 40 castor oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil and polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers.

4 . The composition of claim 3 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of poloxamer 407, poloxamer 188 and polyoxyl 40 castor oil.

5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more viscosity enhancers are selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, gums, dextrans, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acids, povidone, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, chitosans, and hyaluronates and hyaluronic acids.

6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the one or more viscosity enhancers are selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives and polyacrylic acids.

7 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the one or more viscosity enhancers are selected from the group consisting of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and carbomer 974P.

8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more permeation enhancers are selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, lauryl laurate, lauryl alcohol, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol monocaprylate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and isopropyl myristate.

9 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the one or more permeation enhancers are selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, lauryl laurate, lauryl alcohol, a mixture of lauryl alcohol and propylene glycol and a mixture of propylene glycol monolaurate and propylene glycol.

10 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the one or more permeation enhancers are a mixture of propylene glycol monolaurate and propylene glycol.

11 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of co-solvents and cooling agents.

12 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the one or more excipients are selected from the group consisting of menthol, polyethylene glycol 400, and isopropyl alcohol.

13 . A topical composition comprising succinic acid, poloxamer 407, poloxamer 188, polyoxyl 40 castor oil, propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 400, menthol, carbomer 974P, isopropyl alcohol and water.

14 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein:

succinic acid is at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/w;

poloxamer 407 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 2% w/w;

poloxamer 188 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 2% w/w;

polyoxyl 40 castor oil is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 2% w/w;

propylene glycol monolaurate is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 2% w/w;

propylene glycol is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 10% w/w;

polyethylene glycol 400 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 10% w/w;

menthol is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 10% w/w;

carbomer 974P is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 10% w/w; and

isopropyl alcohol is at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/w,

wherein w/w denotes weight by total weight of the composition.

15 . The composition of claim 14 , wherein:

succinic acid is at a concentration from about 1% to about 3% w/w;

poloxamer 407 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 1.45% w/w;

poloxamer 188 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 1.45% w/w;

polyoxyl 40 castor oil is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 1.45% w/w;

propylene glycol is at a concentration from about 2% to about 5% w/w;

polyethylene glycol 400 is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 1% w/w;

menthol is at a concentration from about 0.1% to about 1% w/w;

carbomer 974P is at a concentration from about 0.5% to about 2% w/w; and

isopropyl alcohol is at a concentration from about 4% to about 6% w/w.

16 . A method of reducing or eliminating acne, comprising topically applying an effective amount of a composition of claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.