To explore the clinical effect and safety of hydroxychloroquine combined with photoelectricity in the treatment of rosacea. Methods A total of 158 patients with rosacea admitted to our hospital from September 2020 to September 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 79 patientsin each group. The control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine orally, and the observation group was treated with hydroxychloroquine orally and photoelectric therapy. The symptom scores, clinical efficacy, quality of life and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, the scores of telangiectasia, papules, erythema and pustules in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P <0.05). The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was 97.47%, which was higher than 84.81% in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the scores of social function, self-perception, emotional cognition and acne symptom in the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 6.33%, which was slightly higher than 5.06% in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Conclusion The combination of hydroxychloroquine and photoelectric therapy is effective for patients with rosacea, which can improve the symptoms and quality of life, and has high safety.