Objective To observe the effect of recombinant mussel adhesive protein hydrogel dressing combined with chemical peels on the scores of the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and the Echelle D'Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices D'Acne (ECCA) in patients with mild to moderate acne. Methods A total of 100 patients with mild to moderate acne admitted to the Department of Dermatology of our hospital from July 2023 to July 2024 were selected as the research subjects, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 50 patients in each group. The control group was treated with chemical peels, and the observation group was treated with recombinant mussel adhesive protein hydrogel dressing combined with chemical peels on the basis of the control group. The GAGS score, ECCA score, clinical efficacy, acne lesion counts and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, the GAGS and ECCA scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was 94.00%, which was higher than 80.00% in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the comedone number, inflammatory papule number and pustule number in the two groups were less than those before treatment, and those in the observation group were less than those in the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.00%, which was lower than 14.00% in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Recombinant mussel adhesive protein hydrogel dressing combined with chemical peels is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. It can effectively improve the skin condition of patients, reduce acne-related skin lesions, and has high safety.