Pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are described for topical use comprising octenidine dihydrochloride. Such compositions are stable and can be applied easily and safely over large areas of the skin with good acceptance by patients in general for the treatment or prevention of some skin disorders or diseases. Claim 1: A pharmaceutical or topical composition, comprising: (a) 0.01-3.0% by weight of octenidine dihydrochloride; (b) 1-20% by weight of at least one petroleum derived hydrocarbon; (c) 0.5-10% by weight of at least one C₆₋₂₄ fatty acid triglyceride;(d) 1-20% by weight of at least one C₆₋₂₄ fatty alcohol;(e) 1-15% by weight of at least one non-ionic surfactant; (f) 1 to 20% by weight of at least one polyol; and (g) 30-70% by weight of water. Claim 10: A composition according to claim 1, comprising referring to the total weight of the composition: (a) 0.01-3.0% by weight of octenidine dihydrochloride; (b) 1-20% by weight of at least one petroleum hydrocarbon selected from hard paraffin, liquid paraffin, light liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin and mixtures thereof; (c) 0.5-10% by weight of at least one C₆₋₂₄ fatty acid triglyceride;(d) 1-20% by weight of at least one C₆₋₂₄ fatty alcohol;(e) At least 1-15% by weight, a non-ionic surfactant with c83268331 fatty acid is selected from monkey - and di glycerin, ethanol ester or propylene glycol;Polyoxyethylene dimethyl ether, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, diethanol ethyl ester, sorbide and their mixtures; (f) at least one glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, hexilenglicol, diplovilengol, polyethylene glycol and polyglycol by weight Molecular weight of average weight, from 100 to 1000, glycerol, polyglycerol and their mixtures; and (g) 30-70% water weight. Item 13: according to the composition of any of the above requirements, the composition is cream, gel, paste and paste,1. Suspension, emulsion, foam, sprayer, aerosol or solution; claim 14: composition (infected dermatitis) defined