Objective To explore the clinical effect of mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream combined with intense pulsed light in the treatment of patients with erythema after acne. Methods A total of 80 patients with erythema after acne admitted to our hospital from June 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into reference group and experimental group, with 40 cases in each group. The reference group was treated with intense pulsed light, and the experimental group was treated with intense pulsed light combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream. The clinical efficacy, skin physiological function index, quality of life, adverse reactions and treatment satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of treatment in the experimental group was 97.50%, which was higher than 80.00% in the reference group (P