As future acne control agents, selected phytochemicals previously characterized as antibacterial agents against Propionibacterium acnes were further tested for additional biological activities, including their effect on both steroid 5α-reductase (EC 1.3.99.5) and soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type 1). 6-pentadeca(en)ylsalicylic acids, commonly known as anacardic acids, appear to combine potent antibacterial activity specifically against P. acnes, and steroid 5α-reductase and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities into one agent, and thus constitute a family of effective multifunctional acne control agents.