A topical composition useful for reducing in hair growth includes .alpha.-difluoromethylornithine and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle comprising at least 4% by weight of a polyoxyethylene ether having the chemical formula R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.bOH, where R is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group including from 6 to 22 carbon atoms and b is from 2 to 200.