Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component, notably common acne, are treated with topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions containing about 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously formulated into topically applicable gels, preferably aqueous gels, creams, lotions or solutions.