.[.Staple.]. .Iadd.Stable.Iaddend., aqueous gel vehicles are provided for the topical application to the skin of irritating active ingredients such as retinoids, particularly tretinoin, with slow release of the active ingredient and minimal irritancy to the skin. The vehicles include a gelling agent effective to form a gel and hold the active ingredient in the aqueous medium for slow release on the skin, and an effective amount of an antioxidant to retard decomposition of the active ingredient. The vehicles and formulations are preferably aqueous emulsions which contain a solubilizing agent for the generally non-water soluble active ingredients, as well as usually an emulsifying agent and/or surfactant. Chelating agents, emollients, preservatives and other adjuvants and additives may also be included in the vehicles and formulations.