To explore the application value of cosmetic nursing intervention in patients with acne vulgaris. Methods A total of 350 patients with acne vulgaris who were treated in Xiangtan Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were randomly divided into control group and experimental group, with 175 patients in each group. The control group was given routine nursing intervention, and the experimental group was given cosmetic nursing intervention. The mental health level, stress psychological degree, quality of life, recovery index and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The scores of anxiety, depression, fear and interpersonal sensitivity in the two groups after nursing were lower than those before nursing, and those in the experimental group were lower than the control group (P <0.05). The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (P <0.05). The scores of physical disease, general condition, physiological function, material function, energy, emotional function, mental health and social function in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). The time of dementia, scab shedding and wound healing in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group (P <0.05). The nursing satisfaction of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Cosmetic nursing intervention has positive application value in patients with acne vulgaris. It can effectively improve the mental health level, stress psychology and quality of life of patients, promote the recovery of patients and improve patient satisfaction.