Celebrity Esthetician Sofie Pavitt Just Launched a Highly-Anticipated Skincare Line
Hot on the trail of the Oscars, you may still be reeling from the endless celebs who hit the red carpet with picture-perfect beauty looks. Their glam teams are responsible for their trendy hair and makeup looks, but their go-to estheticians are often forgotten for their work providing facials for red carpet-ready skin. One major facialist that stars like Lorde, Zendaya, and Paloma Elsesser have on speed dial is Sofie Pavitt, who found herself in the skincare world after working in the fashion industry for 15 years. She’s since built a reputation as the acne whisperer for celebs, editors, and cool-girls across New York City, and her signature facial always has a months-long waitlist.
Pavitt is based in NYC, but you won’t have to book a ticket to the Big Apple to get a true Sofie Pavitt-glow—on March 14, the esthetician launches her namesake studio-grade skincare line, Sofie Pavitt Face, kicking off with the Mandelic Acid Serum.
The Inspiration
If you’re ever looking to see which skin concerns are trending, estheticians are arguably the best people to turn to since they’re dealing with skin hands-on every day. Much like many other estheticians-turned-skincare founders, Pavitt reveals that her inspiration for launching a leave-on exfoliator came from her countless clients looking for a solution to their worn-down skin.
“After treating so many clients at my studio with stressed, stripped skin, I wanted to formulate an exfoliator that could be easily incorporated into daily skincare routines, gently removing dead cell build up without irritation while also hydrating and soothing,” says Pavitt. The entire line is designed for those with various skin concerns and aims to eliminate excess in skincare routines and on the market. Sofie Pavitt Face’s first product is centered around mandelic acid, one of Pavitt’s favorite AHAs for exfoliation.
The Product
Seeing as Pavitt’s speciality is acne-prone skin, it makes perfect sense that her inaugural product would be an exfoliator. Pavitt is a big proponent of exfoliating every day, which is why she turned to mandelic acid to be the star of the show—it has a much larger molecule size than other AHAs, making it gentle enough to use multiple times a week, even for sensitive skin. In addition to whisking away dullness, mandelic acid also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which help keep skin clear.
That being said, Pavitt wanted the serum to speak to multiple skin types, which is why it also contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture in the skin and panthenol (or vitamin B5), which can help the skin retain moisture as well as calm the surface. Though you might want to slather this on all day to get a glowing complexion that becomes smoother over time, the brand suggests using this product once daily after cleansing and toning (or 3-4 times a week for dry/sensitive skin) and following it with a moisturizer and sunscreen.
The Review
“I just finished up a second round of Accutane and that pretty much knocked out my cystic acne, but I’ve still been left with some clogged pores (presumably from the heavier moisturizers I’ve been using to offset Accutane dryness) and generally blah winter skin. I used and loved a mandelic acid serum years ago, but haven’t been able to find the ingredient in popular products in recent years. So when I heard one of my favorite estheticians was releasing a serum I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
“I’ve been playing with this serum for a few weeks and I’m pretty impressed with the results. It’s lightweight and non-sticky, with a more watery texture than a thick gel. I’ve been using it at night and haven’t noticed any irritation in the slightest, even on sensitized skin. I’ve already seen less clogs, a lightening of my (many) acne scars, and an overall boost in glow.” —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.
