Described herein is a topical composition for the transdermal delivery of an active agent, wherein the active agent is [NIe 4 , D- Phe 7 ]-alpha-MSH, and wherein the composition comprises: (a) at least one non-aqueous non-toxic solvent selected from the group consisting of lower aliphatic mono- and poly-hydroxy compounds； (b) limonene, lemon oil, or a mixture of limonene and lemon oil； (c) methylsulfonylmethane； (d) a solute modifier comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 3,3'-thiodipropionic acid or an ester or salt thereof, an oxindole alkaloid, a polyphenolic flavonoid, a sugar adduct of a gluconuride, an isoflavone, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl choline, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K1； (e) at least one substance which induces in situ generation of cAMP or cGMP； and (f) a skin stabilizer comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having from about 8 to about 32 carbon atoms, an ester of said aliphatic carboxylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, wherein said ester has a total of from about 9 to about 36 carbon atoms, and Vitamin D3.
