My technique

[sjm]

Does this look OK? I've not had much luck smoothing out skin textures, so last night I started experimenting with different techniques and this is what I came up with.

Does it have any merit?

thanks for looking!

[DannyRaphael]

Because the face looks very natural (to me), I'd say you've been paying attention to your learning sources. Nicely done.

If you were to stop here (and I don't get the impression that's your intent), to me the very nicely retouched face looks a bit out of place compared to the rest of the image. It's like repainting a room... it's hard to stop with just one wall.

[Conk]

Would you like to reveal what process you used?

[Noko]

The skin looks pretty good. I have to agree with Danny that the face looks out of place with the rest of the Image, of course I dont know if you are done with it yet.

I did a tutorial on smoothing skin tones/textures here
I hope this helps.

[sjm]

I started out with the

quick mask in Noko's tutorial, but then I did a lot of trial and error by selecting a color on the face and then doing FILL and then adjusting the opacity.

Next I proceeded with the clone tool and healing brush.

I am just now leaving the novice stage in PS and I don't understand a lot of the tuts I try to follow.

So I just try to wing it.

and yes, I will complete the whole photo. I was just experimenting with the skin, because I've not found a technique that 'works' for me.