Described herein are compositions for topical use comprising an antibacterially effective concentration of a gallate or gallamide compound which is a polysubstituted cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl wherein the substituents are selected from hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, fluoro, chloro, amino, nitro, or a moiety of formula -X-(CO)-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl), wherein X is selected from O and NH, provided that the substituents comprise at least two moieties of formula -X-(CO)-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl) attached to adjacent carbons in free or in orally or topically acceptable salt form, as well as methods of making and using the same.
