Polyenylphosphatidylcholine is topically applied to treat skin damage, such as contact dermatitis (particularly diaper area dermatitis), atopic dermatitis, xerosis, eczema (including severe hand and foot eczema), rosacea, seborrhea, psoriasis, thermal and radiation burns, other types of skin inflammation, and aging. Typical compositions contain from about 0.25% to about 10% of a polyenylphosphatidylcholine preparation obtained form natural sources such as soybean oil which contains at least about 25% by weight, preferably about 40% or more, dilinoeoylphosphatidylcholine.