A topical pharmaceutical composition for treating a skin disorder selected from the group consisting of Herpes viral infection, Varicella viral infection, rash, insect bites, jellyfish stings, burns, psoriasis, itching, skin allergic response, skin lesions as a result of drug or medical treatment side effects or complications, and hypopigmantation. The composition comprises a peptide of the formula pGLU—X—Y—Z, where X, Y and Z are amino acids, with or without an alkyl group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.