Provided are compositions which are suitable for topical application to human skin for cleansing and anti-microbial properties. In one preferred embodiment, the compositions include a glyceryl monoazelate ester. In another embodiment, the compositions include a glyceryl monoazelate monolaurate ester. It is postulated that bacteria on the skin cleave the ester linkage of a compound according to the invention that is applied to the skin, which causes liberation of the acid moiety from the ester, which acid moiety then inhibits or kills the bacterium. Compositions according to the invention may comprise skin creams, soaps, shampoos and lotions, and are especially effective in treating acne and acne-like skin ebullitions. The glyceryl portion of the molecules is believed to facilitate penetration of the ester into the skin.