Objective To explore the effect of Yiqing capsule combined with minocycline capsule in patients with moderate acne vulgaris. Methods A total of 60 patients with moderate acne vulgaris admitted to Rugao Boai Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the research objects. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into western medicine group (n =30) and combined group (n =30). The western medicine group was treated with minocycline capsule, and the combined group was treated with Yiqing capsule combined with minocycline capsule. The clinical efficacy, number of skin lesions, TCM symptom scores and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the combined group was 96.67%, which was higher than 76.67% of the western medicine group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the number of inflammatory lesions and non-inflammatory lesions in the combined group was less than that in the western medicine group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of halitosis, dry stool, yellow urine and thick yellow greasy fur in the combined group were lower than those in the western medicine group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Yiqing capsules combined with Minocycline capsules has a definite application effect in patients with moderate acne vulgaris, which can improve the therapeutic effect, improve the skin lesions, and help to reduce the scores of TCM symptoms. The application safety is good.