How to Smooth Skin in Photoshop [Easy Ways]

Learning how to smooth skin in Photoshop makes your job easy in the fashion photography world. Since you often have to work with models, making models look amazing becomes your top priority.

Moreover, it’s an excellent skill to have as a photographer. It’s not mandatory that anyone who only works in the fashion photography niche only they should learn smoothing skin in photoshop. 

There is no boundary. Anyone with this skill will have an advantage in photography, no matter which niche is there working on.

So in this tutorial, I will show you how easily you can smooth skin through Photoshop without overdoing it.

Simple Ways to Smooth Skin in Photoshop 

Some traditional methods are applied to smooth Skin in Photoshop, for instance, using the blur tool or applying the blur filter for Photoshop.

In addition, an advanced method is a high pass filter that assists in retaining the texture of the skin while adding a silky smoothness to the portrait image.

However, we will use regular brush tool filters to reduce blemishes from portrait images, and you will find any regular Photoshop tools that will make your work easier.

To use skin Smoothing on your portrait, follow these easy steps.

Step 1. Create a Layer 

First, duplicate the background layer and rename it ( you can name it anything, it’s up to you.

create a layer

create a layer

Step 2. Add Brushing Tools 

To remove the dark spot from the portrait image, go to > toolbar and select > Healing brush tool.

Add Brushing Tools for Smoothing Skin

Add Brushing Tools for Smoothing Skin

Step 3. Remove Blemishes 

Then select the sample in the source, and take a skin sample by holding the ALT key. Then easily reuse or remove a spot from the portrait by slowly rubbing. 

Remove Blemishes from Skin in Photoshop

Remove Blemishes from Skin in Photoshop

Step 4. Duplicate the Layer Again 

Now duplicate the call layer and rename it if you want. After that, right-click the layer and convert it into a bright object. Now change its blending from mode normal to vivid light. 

Duplicate the Layer Again for Skin Softening

convert to smart object

vivid light option

Step 5. Change Image Adjustment & Filter 

Afterward, go to the image menu > adjustment >, click>  invert, or use the shortcut key Control + I import the layer. Now go to the filter menu > other > then click > Highpass. Gradually increase the radius until the spots are invisible, then click “ok.”

change image adjustment and filter

Change Image Adjustment and Filter

Change Image Adjustment for Retouching the Skin

Step 6. Add Blur 

Then again, go to the filter menu > blur > and > Gaussian blur. Gradually increase the radius as per your preference, and then click “ok.”

Add Blur in Photoshop

Step 7. Create a Layer Mask

After that, create a layer mask on a skin-softening layer now invert the layer mask using the shortcut key CTRL + I. 

Create a Layer Mask, How to Smooth Skin in Photoshop Tutorial

Step 8. Again, Add Brush Tool 

Then select the brush tool to keep opacity and flow 100 and ensure the foreground color is white. Increase or decrease the brush size and start painting over the face to remove the dark and red spots, or you can also soften the skin.

Add Brush Tool to Smooth Skin in Photoshop

Step 9. Create a Stem Visual Layer 

Now we have to create a visual stem layer to do so. We can press the CTRL + ALT + Shift +  E together. Then right-click the layer to convert it to a bright object.

Create a Stem Visual Layer Smooth Skin Action

Step 10. Changes the Texture 

Then go to the filter menu, and the camera raw filter goes to the primary panel, increasing the texture value and decreasing the clarity slightly.  

Changes the Texture, Retouch Skin in Photoshop

Smooth Skinning Photoshop

Step 11. Changes in Detail Panel 

Now go to the detail panel and adjust the value of sharpening noise and color noise reduction.

 Changes in Detail Panel and Adjust the Value of Sharpening Noise

Step 12. Create a Crop Assessment Layer 

You will notice some of the facial parts on the left side are darker, and the right is more white. First, you must create a dodge and bond effect to fix this.

To do so, create a crop assessment layer, then create a point on the center of the line and take it up to brighten the picture.

create a crop assessment layer

How to Smooth Skin in Photoshop

Step 13. Apply Invert Layer Mask 

Now invert the layer mask and go to the brush tool. Right-click and choose a stiff round brush. Now start making a line on the darkened part of the face. 

apply invert layer mask

apply invert layer mask

apply invert layer mask

Step 14. Again, Create a Curve Assessment Layer 

Again, create a curve assessment layer, but this time, take the center point down to darken the picture. Then start making lines on more brightening parts.

Again, Create a Curve Assessment Layer 

Step 15. Select Properties 

Afterwards, go to the window > menu, and select >  properties. Make sure layer max is selected. Now take the feeder slightly to the right until you see the differences. As you can see, the lighting is fixed now. 

select properties

select properties

Retouching Skin in Photoshop Tutorial

Step 16. Create a Solid Color Adjustment Layer

First, make a solid color adjustment layer, choose red, click “OK,” and change the blending mode to “multiply.” Next, lower the opacity, flip the layer mask upside down, and make sure the layer mask is still selected.

create a solid color adjustment layer

Create a Solid Color Adjustment Layer

create a solid color adjustment layer

create a solid color adjustment layer

Step 17. Again, Add Brush Tool 

Select the brush tool right, click, and choose a stiff round brush. Now you can start to paint the lips carefully.

brush tool in photoshop

brush tool in photoshop

Step 18. Changes in the Blending option 

After that, make opacity 100%, go to layer style, and select blending options. Now take a right slider to the left to break it apart using ALT Key. Do the same with the underlying slider, and then click ok.  

Retouching Skin in Photoshop

Changes in the Blending option

Final Result I How to Smooth Skin in Photoshop

Here is the final result of smoothing skin in Photoshop. You can see the difference between before and after in this portrait image. I hope you will learn something from this tutorial to help you in your profession or self-learning journey. 

final result of how to smooth skin in photoshop

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FAQ

How to Smooth Texture in Photoshop?

Go to Filters and pick the blur you want. A new dialogue box will open with sliders for making more changes. Start with low numbers and move to the right until the tool blurs just the right amount of unwanted material.

What is the Skin Smoothing Photoshop Plugin?

The skin smoothing Photoshop plugin is.

  • Skin White Balancing Plugin – Portraiture 
  • Portrait Retouching Plugin – Skin Beauty Retouch 
  • Sharpening & Retouching Plugin – HighPass Sharpen 
  • Skin Contrast Retouching Plugin – Retouch Panel(Free) 
  • Skin Frequency Separation Plugin – Retouch Ninja.Skin
  • Blemishes Retouching Plugin – PortraitPro

How to Smooth Picture in Photoshop?

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + F or choose Help > Photoshop Help from the menu. Under Explore > Fast Actions on the Discover screen, choose Smooth Skin. Clicking the Apply button allows you to choose the subject of a photo.

What is the Smooth Tool in Photoshop?

A tool for blurring Using the Blur tool is the simplest way to smooth skin in Photoshop. This tool is shown as a drop of water on the toolbar. This tool smooths skin but only gives you a little control over how it works.

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