A two-part aqueous composition for treating skin ailments, such as acne vulgaris, includes an acidic part having salicylic acid and an α-hydroxy acid, and an alkaline part having an alkaline nitrite salt. The α-hydroxy acid is preferably glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid or a combination thereof. The alkaline nitrite salt is preferably sodium nitrite. The acidic part and the alkaline part are an acidic aqueous solution and an alkaline aqueous solution, respectively, which may either be mixed with one another then applied to an affected portion of a patient's skin or, alternatively, may be sequentially applied to the affected portion of the patient's skin, preferably within 15 minutes of one another.