Short-chain 2- to 3-carbon alcohols are used as solvents for cooling agents in the preparation of topical therapeutic and cosmetic formulations. Some of these alcohols, especially ethanol, inhibit the ability of the cooling agent to activate its target receptor. In one embodiment of this invention, (R)-1,2-propanediol is used as an alcoholic solvent for the topical delivery of cooling agents to biological surfaces. This propanediol enantiomer has a minimum inhibitory effect on cooling with respect to standard 2- to 3-carbon alcoholic solvents, and functions to substantially protect the agent's cooling activity from inhibition when in the presence of a short-chain alcohol.