A method for treating skin conditions of a patient, including acne vulgaris, includes the steps of formulating an acidic aqueous solution having no less than a 0.1% concentration of mandelic acid and up to and including a 2.0% concentration of salicylic acid, formulating an alkaline aqueous solution having an alkaline nitrite salt as a first alkaline salt and a second alkaline salt of an acid selected from the anion of chlorous acid, fumaric acid, mandelic acid and a combination thereof. Thereafter, sequentially applying the acidic aqueous solution directly to the afflicted portion of the skin of the patient and, at least five minutes later, but no more than ten minutes later, applying the alkaline aqueous solution to that portion of the patient to which the acidic aqueous solution has already been applied.
