Objective To investigate the effect of photoelectric synergistic technology combined with glycolic acid in the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Methods From February 2022 to May 2023, 70 patients with papulopustular rosacea admitted to Qingdao Yimei Tiancheng Plastic and Cosmetic Hospital were selected and divided into conventional group and experimental group by random number table method, with 35 patients in each group. The conventional group was treated with photoelectric synergistic technology, and the experimental group was treated with glycolic acid on the basis of the conventional group. The clinical efficacy, skin aesthetics, incidence of adverse reactions and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of treatment in the experimental group was 97.14%, which was higher than 77.14% in the conventional group (P <0.05). The scores of each dimension of skin aesthetics in the experimental group were higher than those in the conventional group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P >0.05). The satisfaction of the experimental group was higher than that of the conventional group (P <0.05). Conclusion The combination of photoelectric synergistic technology and glycolic acid in the treatment of papulopustular rosacea has a good effect, which can improve skin condition, improve patient satisfaction, and does not increase the incidence of adverse reactions.