Skin conditions are common in all age ranges, and can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. Nurses prescribing or applying topical treatments should have a comprehensive understanding of skin barrier function and the effects this has on the absorption of medication through the skin. This article focuses on the therapeutic options available to treat skin conditions with particular emphasis on topical treatments, including emollients and topical corticosteroids. The principles of skin barrier function and the way in which therapies applied to the skin work are also discussed.