The present disclosure relates to compositions for and methods of repairing the stratum corneum, compositions and methods for inhibiting excessive transepidermal water loss, compositions for and methods of treating skin that is distressed or wounded as a result of a disease or other biological condition or process (as distinguished from wounds resulting from trauma), compositions for and methods of treating chronic wounds, and compositions for the inhibition and treatment of necrosis and extended quiescence that result in cellular necrosis instead of normal proliferation.