Novel methods and compositions for treating aged and environmentally damagedskin are disclosed which provide improvements in the skin's visual appearance,function and clinical/biophysical properties by activating at least oneproteolytic enzyme in the skin's stratum corneum. The disclosed treatmentmethods involve topical application of a novel cosmetic composition containinga combination of a cationic surfactant such as N,N,-dimethyldodecyl amineoxide (DMDAO), an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ormonoalkyl phosphate (MAP) and a chelating agent such as ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA) to stimulate a chronic increase in the replacement rate ofthe skin's stratum corneum by means of corneum protease activation. Thischronic, low level stimulation is effective to induce repair and replacementof the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis of the skin and improvements inthe appearance, function, and anti-aging properties of the skin.
