A compound effect for the treatment of dermatological disorders comprises a mono- or diester of an .alpha.,.omega.-dicarboxylic acid, wherein the alcohol moiety of the said ester comprises a keratolytically active alcohol. The compound may have the formula, ##STR1## where n is in the range of 6 to 12; m is in the range of 0 to 8; R' is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, benzyl, OH, NHR", CONHR" and COOR"; R" is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, and benzyl; and Y is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, benzyl and X.