Polyenylphosphatidylcholine in combination with an alkanolamine are topically applied to treat skin wounds, promote healing, and minmize scar formation. Typical compositions contain from about 0.25% to about 12% of a polyenylphosphatidylcholine preparation obtained from natural sources such as soybean oil which contains at least about 25% by weight, preferably about 40% or more, dilinoeoylphosphatidylcholine, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an alkanolamine such as ethylaminoethanol, methylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanol, isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanoldimethylamine, ethylethanolamine, 2-butanolamine, choline, serine, or mixtures thereof. Dimethylaminoethanol is a particularly preferred alkanolamine. Tyrosine is an adjunct ingredient in many embodiments.