The disclosure relates to the discovery that fractionated coconut oil is effective for alleviating existing skin disorders when applied topically to the skin of a person afflicted with such a disorder. The disclosure further relates to the discovery that fractionated coconut oil can be used to prevent or inhibit onset of a skin disorder or to reduce the severity of a skin disorder when administered prophylactically to the skin of a person. A cromolyn compound, a corticosteroid, or both, can be included in the composition.