This invention is based upon the discovery that a mixture of ethyl lactate and isoamyl lactate can be used to improve the penetration of active ingredients in skin care formulations through the outer layers of the stratum corneum and viable epidermis and into the dermis layer of the skin structure. The present invention more specifically discloses a method of rejuvenating skin comprising topically applying a topical formulation to the skin, wherein the topical formulation is comprised of ascorbic acid, an amino acid selected from the group consisting of phenylalanine and tyrosine, a non-toxic zinc salt, carnosic acid, α-tocopherol, 0.01 weight percent to 20 weight percent of a mixture of ethyl lactate and isoamyl lactate, wherein the weight ratio of the ethyl lactate to the isoamyl lactate is within the range of 1:10 to 20:1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
