Objective To observe the effect of targeted nursing model intervention based on individual differences on the number of acne lesions in patients with facial acne vulgaris undergoing glycolic acid peeling treatment. Methods A total of 88 patients with facial acne vulgaris admitted to the Department of Medical Aesthetics of our hospital from May 2023 to May 2025 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 44 patients in each group. The control group received conventional nursing, and the observation group received targeted nursing model intervention based on individual differences. The number of acne lesions, skin barrier function and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups. Results After intervention, the numbers of comedones, inflammatory papules and pustules in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). After intervention, the stratum corneum hydration of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the TEWL and skin pH value were lower than those of the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 6.82%, which was lower than 22.73% in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The targeted nursing model intervention based on individual differences has an ideal effect on patients with facial acne vulgaris undergoing glycolic acid peeling treatment. It can effectively improve patients' skin condition, enhance skin barrier function, and reduce the risk of adverse reactions.