Disclosed is a topical formulation comprising at least one alpha connexin polypeptide and hydroxyethylcellulose gel, wherein the hydroxyethylcellulose gel stabilises the alpha connexin polypeptide. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a topical formulation comprising: a) mixing propylene glycol, glycerin, methylparaben and propylparaben until the parabens are completely dissolved； b) separately mixing purified water, EOTA, monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate and O-mannitol until a clear solution is obtained； c) adding the solution from a) to the solution from b), rinsing the container of the solution from a) with purified water, adding the rinse to the combined solutions, and mixing until the combined solutions are visually homogeneous； d) with homogenisation mixing, adding hydroxyethyl cellulose into the combined solutions of c) and mixing until the polymer is fully dispersed； e) separately mixing purified water with an alpha connexin polypeptide until the peptide is completely dissolved； f) adding the solution from e) to the solution of d), rinsing the container of the solution from e) with purified water, adding the rinse to the combined solutions, and mixing until the combined solution are homogeneous.
