A composition comprising: at least one of an ± 2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; for use in the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory skin disorder and the symptoms associated therewith, wherein the composition is to be topically administered to the skin of a patient in need of such treatment or prevention, and wherein the inflammatory skin disorder is selected from the group consisting of dermatitis, including contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, statis dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus; disorders of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, including acne, rhinophyma, perioral dermatitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae; and inflammatory reactions, including drug eruptions, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, and granuloma annulare.