The present invention discloses certain chirally correct polyene cyclodextrin acetals and hemiacetals (formula I) that are effective in providing skin clarification, which is useful for the treatment of acne, and skin disfigurements and skin darkening resulting from acne; skin darkening from cancer, diabetes, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and sun-burn; mitochondrial and DNA dysfunction; age spots; loss of cellular antioxidants; skin changes associated with aging including collagen loss, loss of skin pliability, loss of skin suppleness, skin wrinkles and fine lines, oxidation, damage from radiation, damage from free radicals, and damage from UV; dry skin; xerosis; ichthyosis; dandruff; brownish spots; keratoses; melasma; lentigines; liver spots; skin pigmentation including pigmented spots, dark circles under the eyes, darkened skin, and blemishes; oily skin; warts; eczema; pruritic skin; psoriasis; inflammatory dermatoses; topical inflammation; disturbed keratinization; scalp dryness, and combinations thereof;