The invention includes methods of inhibiting the activity of a matrix metalloproteinase in skin comprising topical application of a composition comprising a synergistic ally effective ratio of an amount of a hydroxamic acid, salt and/or a complex thereof and of an amount of a glycol to a skin surface. In some embodiments the wherein the ratio of a weight percent of hydroxamic acid, salt and/or a complex thereof to the a weight percent of glycol (by weight of the total composition) wherein the ratio is selected from a ratio of about 1 to 1.4 a about 1 to 3 about 1 to 5. Also included are related methods, including methods of preventing or reducing the appearance of aging of a skin surface, the method comprising topical application of a composition comprising a synergistically effective ratio of an amount of a hydroxamic acid, salt and/or a complex thereof and of an amount of a glycol to a skin surface methods of increasing the enzymatic inhibiting potential of a glycol comprising combining the at least one glycol with a synergistically effective amount of a hydroxamic acid, salt and/or a complex thereof to form a synergistic blend, wherein the enzymatic inhibiting potential of the synergistic blend is greater than the enzymatic inhibiting potential of the glycol alone or of the hydroxamic acid alone. Within the scope of the invention are also contemplated anti-aging compositions that inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity in skin comprising a synergistically effective ratio of an amount of a hydroxamic acid, salt and/or a complex thereof and of an amount of a glycol. In some embodiments, the ratio is selected from a ratio of about 1 to 1.4 a about 1 to 3 about 1 to 5, weight percents (by weight of the total composition).
