Long-lasting persistent, uniform, film-forming skin protecting compositions provide long-lasting persistent barrier films when applied to skin. The compositions have particular utility as barrier teat dips for protecting cows against mastitis and as wound care agents. A barrier film-forming agent is selected from pullulan, pullulan derivatives and combinations thereof. The barrier film-forming agent is stably solubilized in a solvent that dries to form the long-lasting, persistent, uniform film over the animal skin. The compositions may contain additives, such as antimicrobial agents that kill microorganisms.
