Objective To investigate the improving effect of hyaluronic acid repair dressing on skin barrier function, inflammation severity and quality of life in patients with facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis. Methods A total of 108 patients with facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis treated at Chengdu Fifth People’s Hospital from June 2025 to June 2026 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 54 patients in each group. The control group was treated with tacrolimus ointment, and the observation group was additionally treated with hyaluronic acid repair dressing on the basis of the control group. The skin barrier function [transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration], inflammation severity (scores of erythema, papules, desquamation and pruritus) and quality of life (DLQI score) were compared between the two groups. Results After 4 weeks of treatment, the TEWL value of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the stratum corneum hydration was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). The scores of erythema, papules, desquamation and pruritus in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the DLQI score of the two groups was lower than that before treatment, and that of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Hyaluronic acid repair dressing can effectively repair skin barrier function in patients with facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis, relieve inflammatory response, and improve quality of life. It is a milder and more effective clinical therapeutic regimen.