This patent application is for a herbal topical composition to treat acne vulgaris. It contains an effective combination of chitosan nanoparticles and an alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia. A skin cream is prepared from this combination along with pharmaceutical excipients. Testing showed this composition effectively inhibits Propionibacterium acnes in amounts needed to treat acne. The ratios of chitosan nanoparticles and Tinospora cordifolia extract providing this inhibition were determined.