The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for accelerating the healing process of wounds, increasing the closure of skin wounds, and decreasing inflammation at the site of a skin wound. Specifically, the disclosure relates to compositions comprising a delta-PKC activator, an alpha-PKC inhibitor, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that is free of Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations. The disclosure also relates to compositions comprising an insulin or insulin analog and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that is free of Ca2+ and Mg2+ cation