Objective To explore the application effect of urea cream and compound polymyxin B ointment in patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis. Methods A total of 64 patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis admitted to our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into control group and study group, with 32 patients in each group. The control group was treated with urea cream, and the study group was treated with compound polymyxin B ointment. The clinical efficacy, skin lesion score, skin water content, skin pH, transcutaneous water loss, skin pH and sebum secretion were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of treatment in the study group (96.88%) was higher than that in the control group (90.63%) (P <0.05). The skin lesion score of the study group was lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). The skin water content of the study group was higher than that of the control group, and the TEWL value was lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in skin pH between the two groups (P >0.05). The sebum secretion of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Compoundpolymyxin B ointment is more effective for patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis with dry skin and severe desquamation. For patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis with skin pH imbalance, easy to cause inflammation or sebum secretion, the use of urea cream is more effective; for improving the aesthetic effect of skin, it is better to use compound polymyxin B ointment alone or in combination.