2 Ways to Use Frequency Separation to Achieve Perfect Portrait Skin

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2 Ways to Use Frequency Separation to Achieve Perfect Portrait Skin

Last Updated: 2026. 01. 26

Frequency separation is a powerful photo editing technique, especially for skin retouching, that splits an image into two layers: a low-frequency layer for color and tone and a high-frequency layer for fine details. This separation allows editors to smooth skin blotchiness and blend colors on the low-frequency layer while fixing blemishes and preserving natural texture on the high-frequency layer, preventing the unnatural "plastic look" of heavy edits. If you’ve got pimples, a blemish, or a tattoo that’s distracting from what you’re trying to convey with your subject, you can try the frequency separation.

Therefore, many photographers will try Photoshop to use frequency separation to retouch skin in the photo, and we will also introduce a photo editing tool for you that is comparable to Photoshop but easier to use - FlexClip. Please read on!

Photoshop Vs FlexClip

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1# How to Use Frequency Separation in Photoshop

With Photoshop’s frequency separation, you can retouch either the high or the low frequency without affecting other areas — but it doesn't apply any actual edits to your work. Instead, it allows you to break an image apart so you can work on different sections, like modifying skin texture independent of color or shadow. Photoshop’s frequency separation can create a canvas for you to work within precisely, so you’re able to make fine adjustments with other tools.

Once you’ve used frequency separation to parcel out areas of your image, you can then use layers, blur effects, shadow and color features, and blending to help you change the shape and tone of any image.

Frequency separation can take a lot of steps, but it’s an opportunity to learn Photoshop actions — a feature that allows you to record a particular set of operations so you can do complex edits and techniques in a single click. They’re handy when you need to make a series of edits that are the same every time.

Step 1

Select Window › Actions, and click Create New Action in the sidebar that appears. Name your action and select Record, and this will begin the recording for the frequency separation.

Step 2

With your image open, right-click the layer and select Duplicate Layer. Then click the lock icon in your background layer to allow it to be modified. From there, name the top layer “Skin+Texture” and the bottom layer “Shadows+Color.”

Step 3

Combine the layers into a group by selecting both and navigating to Layer › Group Layers.

Step 4

Select the Shadows + Color layer, use Filter › Blur › Gaussian Blur, set the radius to 5px, and click OK.

Step 5

Select the "Skin + Texture" layer. Select Image › Apply Image. Choose Shadows + Color in the Layer selection menu, Subtract in the Blending menu, and set Scale to 2 and Offset to 128. Click OK.

Step 6

In the Layers panel with Skin + Texture selected, select Linear Light in the Blending modes menu.

Step 7

Congratulations, you’ve set up your two layers for retouching. Click the stop icon in the Actions sidebar, and the action will be saved so in the future all you need to do is open an image, click the action, and you’ll be ready to work.

2# How to Use Frequency Separation in FlexClip

Although Photoshop is great, it’s not always available when you need it fast. Sometimes, you may want to get photo retouch results in a few clicks. Therefore, you can try our recommended online photo editing tool - FlexClip. It’s designed to be user-friendly and efficient, so you can achieve great results in a short amount of time.

Frequency Separation Feature - FlexClip

Frequency separation editing isn’t a tedious process for users anymore. Backed up by advanced AI technology, FlexClip’s frequency separation tool allows you to remove any facial imperfections from a photo as you like with ease. You can say goodbye to the unsatisfactory facial imperfections, such as pimples, blemishes, and so on. Try to precisely retouch the skin in the photo to achieve the desired look.

Even if you are new to AI, FlexClip’s simple interface can let you use the frequency separation feature with lightning speed. You just need to upload your portrait and enter a text prompt about the blemish you want to remove, then its strong AI will begin the creation automatically. With its help, you can choose to remove facial spots as you need. The possibilities in FlexClip are endless.

Step 1

Go to FlexClip's AI photo editor page and click the upload section to upload your portrait to it. No advanced editing skills needed.

Upload Your Portrait - FlexClip

Step 2

You can enter the prompt about what kinds of frequency separation you want to begin, like removing blemishes or pimples. Then, hit the Generate button to begin the AI creation. (Sometimes you may not get perfect results; try it more.)

Type Prompt - FlexClip

Step 3

When you are done with the AI-powered frequency separation process, you can directly save the new photo to a local folder or directly post to social media.

Download Your Photo - FlexClip

The Final Words

That’s all for how to use frequency separation in Photoshop and FlexClip. And FlexClip offers more image/video editing features for you to explore, like removing objects from a photo, adding video effects. Have a try!