Cracking the Code: Fixing AI’s Plastic Skin Problem

Hey Friend

Let’s talk about one of the biggest AI art struggles: skin texture.

No matter how detailed your prompt is (unless you’re ridiculously lucky), AI-generated faces almost always have that overly smooth, glossy, almost plastic-like look, kind of like a porcelain doll. It’s one of the biggest giveaways that an image is AI-made.

Why does this happen?

AI-generated images often start as pure noise—a seemingly random pattern of pixels—and are gradually transformed into a clear, detailed image through a process called diffusion. But how does this actually work?

Think of it like sculpting from a block of marble:

• The AI begins with random noise (the rough block).

• With each step, it "removes" unnecessary parts (denoising).

• Eventually, it reveals a fully formed image.

When you generate an image, the AI starts from pure noise and works backward, predicting what the image should look like at each step. It does this in multiple iterations, refining details gradually rather than generating the entire image at once.

At each step, the model tries to reconstruct missing details based on what it learned from millions of real images. However, fine skin textures are often mistaken for noise and get erased too early, resulting in that overly smooth, plastic-like look.

This is why AI-generated skin looks unnatural—the model over-smooths textures, thinking it’s improving the image.

How this Affects Skin in AI Images

• Fine details like pores, wrinkles, and imperfections are lost early in the denoising process.

• AI struggles to differentiate between natural skin texture and unwanted noise, so it smooths everything out.

• Without proper texture reconstruction, skin ends up looking airbrushed, plastic, or overly synthetic.

How can we fix this.

After months of research and testing, I’ve developed a workflow that brings back realistic skin texture in AI-generated images—eliminating that overly smooth, plastic-like effect.

The key is reintroducing fine details that AI tends to erase too early in the diffusion process. By carefully adjusting noise diffusion, adding controlled grain, and refining depth, this method restores the natural texture of skin while keeping the image sharp and lifelike.

Take a look at the before and after below!

This approach allows for both full-image refinements and targeted adjustments, so if certain areas, like the lips, nose, or eyes, need more definition, you can fine-tune them without over-processing the rest of the face.

Beyond just fixing AI’s tendency to over-smooth skin, this workflow also enhances the natural variation in tone, depth, and texture that gives real skin its lifelike appearance.

By incorporating adaptive noise diffusion and pixel refinement, the method ensures that details like pores, fine lines, and subtle imperfections remain intact, without introducing unwanted artifacts or distortions.

Check below the comparison between Real Skin and AI Skin

The result is AI-generated skin that looks natural, not artificial, while still maintaining the high level of detail expected in digital art and photography.

Right now, I’m finalizing the tool that will make this process seamless. It’s not quite ready yet, but if you're interested in early access, you can join the waitlist to try it as soon as it’s available.

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