Photoshop now offers two distinct approaches to removing skin blemishes automatically. The Camera Raw Filter includes a dedicated Blemishes option that analyzes and cleans skin with a single checkbox, while Generative AI fills a face selection with clean, texture-consistent results using a simple text prompt. Each method has clear trade-offs in speed, control, and output quality.
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Practical Tips
These techniques work best when applied with a few deliberate habits that preserve both quality and editability.
- Convert the layer to a Smart Object before applying the Camera Raw Filter so the adjustment stays editable and non-destructive.
- Use the Fade slider in the Blemishes tool to retain natural features like freckles and moles rather than removing everything uniformly.
- After running the Blemishes tool, use the Remove Tool with Generative AI to clean up any blotchy areas left behind on the cheeks or forehead.
- When using Generative AI, draw a square selection tightly around the face to concentrate the generation resolution on the relevant area.
- Always cycle through all three generated variations before accepting a result — the best output is not always the first one.
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