A composition and method are provided for alleviating the dermatological signs of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. A topical formulation containing a cosmeceutically active base, wherein the formulation provides a pH in the range of about 8.0 to 13.0 at the skin surface, is applied to the skin in order to prevent or treat aging-related skin conditions such as wrinkles, dry skin, age spots, sun damage (particularly UV radiation-induced oxidative stress), blemishes, hyperpigmented skin, age spots, increased skin thickness, loss of skin elasticity and collagen content, dry skin, lentigines and melasmas. The cosmeceutically active base is either an inorganic base, such as an inorganic hydroxide, an inorganic oxide, or a metal salt of a weak acid, or an organic base, particularly a nitrogenous base such as may be selected from primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, amides, oximes, nitrites, aromatic and non-aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles, urea, and mixtures thereof.