Celebrity Facialist Sofie Pavitt Just Launched a Highly Anticipated Skincare Line
On the heels of the Oscars, you may still be stunned by the countless celebrities who hit the red carpet in gorgeous beauty looks. Her glam team is responsible for her stylish hair and makeup, but her favorite facialists are often forgotten when it comes to facials for skin on the red carpet. One of the go-to facialists on speed dial for stars like Lorde, Zendaya, and Paloma Elsesser, Sofie Pavitt entered the world of skincare after a 15-year career in fashion. Since then, she’s earned a reputation as an acne whisperer among celebrities, editors, and cool girls around New York City, and there’s always a months-long waiting list for her signature facials.
Pavitt is based in New York City, but you don’t have to book a flight to the Big Apple to get a true Sofie Pavitt glow—on March 14, the facialist will launch her eponymous studio-quality skincare line, Sofie Pavitt Face, starting with a mandelic acid serum.
Inspiration
If you want to learn about popular skin concerns, aestheticians are probably the best people to talk to, as they deal with skin every day. Pavitt, who like many other aestheticians turned skincare founders, revealed that her inspiration for launching a leave-on exfoliant came from her countless clients seeking solutions to skin issues.
“After treating so many clients with stressed and damaged skin in my studio, I wanted to create an exfoliant that could be easily incorporated into daily skincare routines, gently removing dead cells without irritation, while moisturizing and soothing,” Pavitt said. The entire product line is designed for people with a variety of skin concerns, aiming to eliminate unnecessary products from daily skincare routines and the market. The first product from Sofie Pavitt Face is centered around mandelic acid, one of Pavitt’s most popular exfoliating AHAs.
Product
Since Pavitt’s specialty is acne-prone skin, it only made sense that her first product would be an exfoliant. Pavitt is a big proponent of daily exfoliation, which is why she made mandelic acid the star of the show—mandelic acid’s molecule size is much larger than other AHAs, making it gentle enough to be used multiple times a week, even for sensitive skin. In addition to eliminating dullness, mandelic acid has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that help keep your skin clear.
Pavitt wanted this serum to work for a variety of skin types. That’s why it also contains hyaluronic acid, which adds moisture to the skin, and panthenol (or vitamin B5), which helps the skin retain moisture and soothes the surface. While you may want to slather this product on throughout the day to maintain a radiant complexion that gets smoother over time, the brand recommends using it once a day after cleansing and toning (or 3-4 times a week if you have dry/sensitive skin) and then applying moisturizer and sunscreen.
Reviews
“I just finished my second round of isotretinoin, which has pretty much cleared up my acne, but my pores are still clogged (probably because of the stronger moisturizer I use to counteract the drying effect of the isotretinoin) and my skin is generally dull from the winter. I used a mandelic acid serum a few years ago and loved it, but I haven’t been able to find the ingredient in popular products in recent years. So when I heard that one of my favorite aestheticians was launching a serum, I couldn’t wait to try it.
“I’ve been experimenting with this serum for a few weeks now and I’m really impressed with the results. It’s lightweight, non-sticky, and more hydrating than thick gels. I use it at night and haven’t noticed any minor irritation, even on my sensitive skin. I’ve already noticed a reduction in nasal congestion, a lighter (many) acne scars, and an overall improved appearance.” —Bella Cacciatore, News Editor
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
