Formulations and methods for treating wounds utilizing these formulations are disclosed. The formulations accelerate wound healing by providing a unique serum-free cellular nutrient medium that supports wound healing of mammalian skin in the absence of protein growth factors. The protein-free composition contains physiological levels of a retinoid compound. This retinoid-containing composition enhances epidermal wound healing of both normal acute and chronic wounds by stimulating the growth of the adult epidermal keratinocytes without the need of any protein growth factors. The wound healing active composition may be used in combination with a topical wound gel preparation including both proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous biopolymers and hydrogels.