Subsurface Scattering - Community Shaders
🟡 Updated this year⚠️ Install Order · 6 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
🖼️ Gallery (12 images)
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 0.4% endorsement rate
- 🏆 #51 of 108 Visuals and Graphics mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
OVERVIEW
This Community Shaders addon which adds screen-space subsurface scattering to characters, to simulate realistic skin.
FEATURES
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[]This subsurface scattering shader is the same as one included in Unreal Engine. It's still used in a lot of games today, including Fallout 4.
[
]The subsurface profile is configurable in-game, with one set for human races, and one for beast races.[]By default, the vanilla character lighting disabled, because it's not very good. This helps make skin shading more realistic.
[]This is compatible with all skin and body mods.
[] Please note that this subsurface scattering is designed for realistic skin shading.
INSTALLATION & REQUIREMENTS
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[]Install Community Shaders and all it's requirements.
[]Install this mod below it.
CONTRIBUTORS
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[]doodlum: Primary contributor
SOURCE
REFERENCES
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[]iryoku/separable-sss: Separable Subsurface Scattering is a technique that allows to efficiently perform subsurface scattering calculations in screen space in just two passes
[
]Jorge Jimenez: Next Generation Character Rendering
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[]iryoku/separable-sss: Separable Subsurface Scattering is a technique that allows to efficiently perform subsurface scattering calculations in screen space in just two passes
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[]doodlum: Primary contributor
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[]Install Community Shaders and all it's requirements.
Subsurface Scattering is a Community Shaders feature that adds screen-space subsurface scattering to characters, simulating realistic skin. It has 8,258 endorsements and 2.0 million downloads, last updated in February 2026. This mod is for Skyrim players using Community Shaders who want more lifelike character skin.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust: 8,258 endorsements and 2.0M downloads
- Enhances character realism with proper skin light scattering
- Active development: updated February 2026
⚠️ Cons
- Requires Community Shaders framework to function
- Only affects characters, not other surfaces
- May have performance impact on lower-end systems
For Skyrim players who already use Community Shaders and want more realistic character skin. If you're into visual overhauls and care about character close-ups, this is a must-have. Skip if you don't use Community Shaders or prefer gameplay mods.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure you have Community Shaders installed and updated to the latest version before adding this feature.
- Check the mod's load order: it should load after Community Shaders and any other visual overhauls.
- If you notice performance dips, try adjusting the subsurface scattering quality settings in the Community Shaders config.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- doodlez
- Version
- 3.0.1
- Downloads
- 1,962,431
- Endorsements
- 8,258
- Category
- Visuals and Graphics
- Created
- 3/15/2024
- Updated
- 2/6/2026
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
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