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.
