Objective To analyze the effect of gold microneedle radiofrequency combined with low-concentration supramolecular salicylic acid peeling on skin barrier improvement in patients with facial photoaging. Methods A total of 50 patients with facial photoaging admitted to Shanghai Vcharm Rose Medical Beauty Hospital from October 2023 to October 2025 were selected as the research subjects, and they were divided into the control group and the study group by the random number table method, with 25 patients in each group. The control group received gold microneedle radiofrequency treatment, and the study group received gold microneedle radiofrequency combined with low-concentration supramolecular salicylic acid peeling. The clinical efficacy, skin barrier improvement, satisfaction and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The skin elasticity and stratum corneum hydration in the study group were higher than those in the control group, while the pore diameter, pigmentation value and transepidermal water loss were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rate of the study group (100.00%) was higher than that of the control group (80.00%) (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of gold microneedle radiofrequency combined with low-concentration supramolecular salicylic acid peeling for patients with facial photoaging can effectively improve clinical efffcacy, promote recovery, enhance skin barrier function, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce the risk of complications.