Reply to thread

There are a large number of ways to smooth skin, so I can't be sure which one was used, but because this is a group shot, one can probably eliminate methods that require the Photoshopper to work on each face separately.

The method I would probably use is to run the original through ACR twice. 

On the first pass, starting with the original, set the clarity set to minus 10 or so, and increase the noise reduction slider to around mid scale.  Save the result on its own layer in PS. ("Layer 1")

For the second ACR version, again, start with the original, but this time,  leave almost all the sliders in their default positions except introduce a slight bit of sharpening and increase the contrast slightly.  Once again, save the result on its own separate layer in PS ( "Layer 2").  Put it below the 1st layer.

Use the color range tool to select only skin tones (for everyone in the photo), and use the selection to make a layer mask for Layer 1.

Done.  Total time about 2 minutes.

HTH,

Tom M