This invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of skin and mucous membranes suffering from a follicular dermatosis. The compositions include one or more pyridine-thiols and tautomers with attached metallic moieties. Administration of the compounds to aging skin and mucous membranes in topical formulations, either as the only active ingredient or in combination with other known active ingredients to treat a follicular dermatosis. Additional compositions for treating follicular dermatosis contain one or more sulfides and oxides of these same metallic ions, either alone or in combination with other molecules. Topical formulations containing both a pyridine-thiol and tautomers with attached metallic moiety and a metallic sulfide and/or metallic oxide effectively treat skin and mucous membranes suffering from a follicular dermatosis.