Beauty Retouching
For Beginners - Retouching academy course
by Timea Buknicz
July 02, 2026 | 10 min read
Professional Skin Retouching Fundamentals
Build the skills that every beauty retoucher needs.
Professional skin retouching is about far more than removing imperfections. It requires understanding texture, colour, transitions, and knowing when to retouch—and when not to.
This course provides a structured introduction to the techniques and workflows used in professional beauty, fashion, and portrait retouching. Through detailed lessons and practical exercises, you’ll build a solid foundation that can support both your creative and professional growth.
Whether you’re a photographer looking to improve your post-production skills or an aspiring retoucher starting your journey, these lessons will help you develop the habits and workflows used by industry professionals.
BACK TOOLS & FEATURES
Tools & Custom Brushes
A curated collection of Photoshop retouching tools, adjustment layers, utility scripts, and custom brushes organised into a single workspace.
Includes:
- D&B Brushes
- Hair Highlight Brushes
- Cleanup & selection tools
- Common adjustment layers
- Workflow shortcuts
Skin & Texture Workflow
Professional skin and surface retouching tools designed for beauty, portrait, and product work.
Includes:
- Dodge & Burn workflows
- Frequency Separation setups
- Texture management tools
- Visual Aid layers for luminosity and colour evaluation
Selection & Masking Tools
Frequently used masking and selection tools grouped together to speed up precision work inside Photoshop.
Includes:
- Luminosity masking tools
- Object & subject selections
- Selection inversion
- Faster masking workflows
Face, Makeup & Hair
Advanced beauty-retouching functions focused on detailed finishing adjustments and subtle enhancement work.
Includes:
- Skin tone balancing
- Makeup enhancement tools
- Eye & teeth adjustments
- Hair refinement
- Custom action integration
AI-ASSISTED TOOLS
The AI-powered tools are designed to help solve common production problems more efficiently while still keeping creative decisions fully in the hands of the retoucher.
Use the AI tools to:
- remove distractions
- improve styling details
- add missing elements
- adjust accessories
- refine wardrobe details
- and solve small production limitations during post-production
The goal is not automated beauty retouching, but faster problem-solving with professional oversight.
WORKFLOW STRUCTURE
Built around the way professionals actually retouch.
The panel layout follows a structured retouching process, helping users maintain consistency across projects and image sets.
01 / Initial Cleanup
02 / Skin & Tone Work
03 / Detail Refinement
04 / Adding or Adjusting Elements
05 / Quality Control & Export
Users can also assign six custom Photoshop actions directly inside the panel for an even more personalised workflow.
Trusted by retouchers worldwide
Used by more than 20,000 photographers, retouchers, educators, and creative professionals worldwide.
Explore the panel through detailed tutorial videos covering:
- full workflow overview
- panel navigation
- AI-assisted tools
- skin retouching
- frequency separation
- beauty finishing
- export and delivery workflow
TECHNICAL SPECS
Photoshop Compatibility
Photoshop® CC 2024 (v25.3) or newer · macOS 13+ · Windows 11
Hardware Support
Apple Silicon native · Intel x64 compatible · Wacom pressure support
Customisation
Supports up to six custom Photoshop actions directly inside the panel.
AI Features
Uses Photoshop-native AI tools alongside custom RA scripts and workflow utilities.
Updates
New panel versions are available through active Member Accounts.
PRICING
Pay your way. Keep it forever.
Monthly or annual subscriptions are available, or choose a lifetime license with ongoing updates and support included.
SOLO
For freelancers and independent creatives.
- 1 seat · 2 activations
- Free updates in active account
- Activation reset
- Email support
- Onboarding tutorials
Annual From $89.00
STUDIO
Built for teams and studios.
- 3 seats · 6 activations
- Priority support
- Shared workflow environment
- Team onboarding support
Annual From $267.00
LIFETIME
One-time purchase.
- Lifetime updates
- Full account access
- Priority support
- 2 activations
- No recurring payments
Annual From $237.00
Common questions
Do I need Adobe Photoshop to use this panel?
Yes. Our retouching panels are Photoshop plugins. The AI-powered features on the Beauty Retouch v5.0 panel require Photoshop® 2024 (v25.3) or later.
Do I need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription?
Yes. Photoshop plugins are installed via the desktop Creative Cloud app.
Do people use both panels?
Yes. The Beauty Retouch panel focuses on the key stages of the general retouching workflow, while the MUA Retouch panel is created specifically for professional beauty and makeup retouching. Its functionality is based on the effects of real makeup and color correctors to make it easier to use for all beauty industry professionals who photograph and retouch their work.
Can I move my license between machines?
Every seat allows two simultaneous activations. If you need it on a third computer - install on all three, deactivate from one, reset your license activations, then activate on another. Resets are done from your Member Account — no support ticket required.
Purchase the Studio plan to activate on 6 machines simultaneously, and pay only 1 subscription per year after the first.
Why do I need an active subscription?
The subscription model is an industry standard and allows us to keep our Support and Development teams always ready to help you, continue updating the panels, and fix any software issues caused by regular Photoshop updates in a timely manner.
Is there a free trial?
No. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, because we know you will love it.
What happens when v6 is available?
Once a new release is announced, head over to your Member Account with an Active subscription, download and install the new version.
Do you offer team training?
Studio plans may include one onboarding session. Reach out if your team needs an introduction training.
What is included in my purchase?
Your license includes everything you need to get started and stay supported:
- One panel license (up to 2 computers) · Windows & macOS.
- First year (or month) of Maintenance & Support subscription · Lifetime option available.
- Dedicated tech & administrative support.
- Free updates with an active subscription.
- Custom brushes & tool presets: D&B Brushes, Hair Highlights Brushes (small & large).
- Custom Actions set: link 6 of your own actions to the panel.
- Photoshop Essentials for Beauty Retouching (self-paced course, via Member Account).
- Beauty Retouch Panel Training (self-paced course, via Member Account).
- Exclusive discounts for RA Professional Retouching courses and premium practice files.
Questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact our Support Team — we're always here to help.
Pre-Registration
Verified Retoucher Database
We are building a global, skill-verified retoucher database.
A platform where professional standards are documented, structured and transparent.
Skill-verified means professional standards are demonstrated, not claimed.Assessment is category-specific and based on structured test retouching.
Results are measured, scored and displayed transparently on each professional profile.
Secure early access and priority review ahead of public launch.
