Low pH compositions for topical administration to skin are provided. They comprise a buffering agent having a pKa of about 2.8 to about 4.2 and a cosmetically acceptable active ingredient having a pKa within about 1 unit of the pKa of the buffering agent. The composition has a pH of about 3.3 to 4 and a buffer capacity of at least about 0.1. A method of increasing the topical delivery of a cosmetically acceptable active ingredient having a pKa of about 2.8 to about 4 is also provided.