Photoshop: soften skin effect 1

I would like to share a simple skin effect, for removing the mole and making the skin get soften.


Original Picture

After edited

Remove the mole/freckle
As my usual habit, duplicate a layer from the photo for retouching purpose.
Step 1:
Use the "Patch Tool" to select the mole.

Step 2: 
Drag the selected area and drop on the area with normal skin

Then you will find that the mole has been removed
Repeat Step 1 and 2, for the unwanted mole or freckle. Even Hair!


Soften the skin
Step 3:
Select the area of face, you may use Lasso Tool, Quick Selection Tool or Pen Tool, whatever you like. Except the eyes and mouth.

Step 4:
Duplicate the selected area


Step 5: 
Apply the Surface Blur filter to the face layer.
For the Radius, and threshold value, it depends on how much surface blur do you want. Actually you can check the "Preview", then you will see the result instantly.