Luminar: AI Tools for Precise Retouching and Beautiful Bokeh

Luminar has added new and improved tools for portrait retouching and natural-looking background blur to its AI-powered image editing.

The revised "Skin AI" tool separates skin and face retouching to smooth the skin, as shown here.

(Image: Skylum)

Apr 15, 2026 at 4:20 pm CEST

2 min. read

By

André Kramer

With the new version of its AI image editing software Luminar 1.27, software manufacturer Skylum aims for the most natural-looking skin retouching, authentic bokeh, and natural transitions for masks. According to the manufacturer, the new functions are available uniformly on both desktop and mobile devices. Luminar synchronizes edits between devices. This should allow photographers to switch seamlessly and continue working.

Portrait Editing with Skin AI and Face AI

The revised “Skin AI” tool separates skin and face retouching. This allows users to edit individual areas without altering the entire face. A Blemish Removal slider replaces the previous checkbox for removing skin blemishes. The goal is a natural look that reduces distracting details while preserving skin texture.

Luminar 1.27 retouches skin blemishes using a slider instead of the previous checkbox.

(Image: Skylum)

The Face AI tool automatically recognizes the face, eyes, and mouth. In the new version, it can weaken dark circles under the eyes. This should also work reliably with slightly turned faces.

The Face AI tool weakens dark circles under the eyes in the new version.

(Image: Skylum)

Naturally Masked Transitions

The new Mask Feather function ensures soft transitions for local adjustments by smoothing transitions between edited and unedited image areas. Brightness corrections or retouches should therefore appear more natural.

The Mask Feather function smooths transitions between edited and unedited image areas.

(Image: Skylum)

Bokeh AI for More Depth in the Image

The “Bokeh AI” filter mimics the look of fast lenses. It softens the background in portraits or animal shots, giving them more depth. The technology creates multi-layered depth maps to predict the geometry of the scene and separate subjects from foreground and background. In the best case, this results in natural blur with soft light points.

The "Bokeh AI" filter softens the background, giving photos more depth.

(Image: Skylum)

Prices and Availability

The update is available immediately for Windows and macOS, as well as a mobile app for iOS, Android, and ChromeOS. Luminar costs 140 euros. Registered users will receive the update to version 1.27 free of charge.