Topical compositions and methods of using the same

1. A method of reducing inflammatory and/or noninflammatory lesions present on the skin of a subject, the method comprising:

providing a first composition and a second composition that are separately stored;

topically applying to the skin of the subject a composition comprising the first composition and the second composition, wherein the first composition and the second composition are combined prior to and/or during topical application of the combined composition to the skin of the subject,

wherein the first composition comprises:

a first viscosity increasing agent;

at least one polyhydric alcohol;

at least one buffering agent; and

water; and

wherein the second composition comprises:

a second viscosity increasing agent;

at least one organic solvent;

at least one humectant;

at least one water repellent; and

a nitric oxide-releasing compound having a diazeniumdiolate functional group, wherein the nitric oxide-releasing compound comprises a NO-releasing co-condensed silica particle,

thereby reducing inflammatory and/or noninflammatory lesions present on the skin of the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first composition has a pH of about.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide-releasing compound is present in the combined composition in an amount of about 10% by weight of the combined composition or less.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the combined composition stores and/or releases nitric oxide in an amount of about 0.05% to about 3% by weight of the combined composition.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the nitric oxide-releasing compound releases nitric oxide in an amount of at least about 50% over a period of time of about 3 hours or less after topical application of the combined composition to skin of a subject.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first composition and the second composition are combined in a ratio of about 3:1 to about 0.2:1 of the first composition to the second composition,

wherein the first composition comprises:

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

the first viscosity increasing agent in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the first composition;

the at least one buffering agent in an amount of about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of the first composition; and

water in an amount of about 70% to about 99% by weight of the first composition; and

wherein the second composition comprises:

the second viscosity increasing agent in an amount of about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of the second composition;

the at least one organic solvent in an amount of about 50% to about 90 by weight of the second composition;

the at least one humectant in an amount of about 2% to about 20% by weight of the second composition; and

the at least one water repellent in an amount of about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the second composition.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the combined composition is cosmetically elegant.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of inflammatory and/or noninflammatory lesions is reduced by about 10% or greater over a defined period of time.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reduction in inflammatory and/or noninflammatory lesions is within 12 weeks or less.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method reduces noninflammatory lesions on the skin of the subject.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method reduces inflammatory lesions on the skin of the subject.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method reduces inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions on the skin of the subject.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first viscosity increasing agent is selected from the group consisting of a carboxypolymethylene, a polyacrylic polymer, a cellulose ether, a methacrylate, a polyvinylpyrollidone, a polyvinylalcohol, a polyethylene oxide, a polyethylene glycol, a polyvinylalkyl ether-maleic acid copolymer, a carboxy vinyl polymer, a polysaccharide, a gum, a protein, a starch, bentonite, calcium stearate, ceratonia, colloidal silicon dioxide, dextrin, hypromellose, polycarbophil, kaolin, saponite, sorbitan esters, sucrose, sesame oil, tragacanth, potassium alginate, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, phospholipids, and any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one buffering agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, boric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second composition comprises the nitric oxide-releasing compound in an amount of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the second composition.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second composition comprises the nitric oxide-releasing compound in an amount of 0.01% to 30% by weight of the second composition.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second composition comprises the nitric oxide-releasing compound in an amount of 0.01% to 20% by weight of the second composition.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second composition comprises the nitric oxide-releasing compound in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight of the second composition.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first composition is a hydrogel.