For Sofie Pavitt, NYC’s go-to acne esthetician, helping clients achieve their skin goals, raising two little ones at home, and finding time for her own skincare practice is all in a typical day.
What led you to become an esthetician and, more specifically, to focus your work on clients who are looking for help treating acne?
I find the greatest satisfaction that comes from my line of work is seeing someone’s confidence change. Acne is traumatic in many ways—it affects so many people early on in their lives when they’re vulnerable and making their way in the world—to see the change in someone’s perception of themselves is truly why I do what I do! It’s so rewarding. I never thought I would specialize in such a niche corner of esthetics, but I really feel like I found my calling working with acne clients.
You’re a busy mom of two, running a business. Is it easy for you to maintain an at-home skincare routine yourself? What are some of your must-haves for a simple yet effective skincare practice?
This changes all the time! If I have some extra time, I love to lock myself in my bathroom and do a long-drawn-out routine when the kids are in bed. Some nights I have 4 minutes before I crash and burn-out before bed, but I always cleanse and I always moisturize. Sunscreen in the AM is also a non-negotiable.
In addition to your acne clients, we know you also see a lot of clients for hyperpigmentation and scarring. How do you approach these cases and what are some ingredients you like to look for in treating these concerns?
Once I’ve cleared a client of their actual breakouts we get to move on to more advanced treatments to treat textural and pigmented scarring. Love! Home-care obviously plays a big part in this too. Some ingredients I recommend are Mandelic Acid (great for brightening and exfoliating), Retinol, Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide.
When you told The Cut that Cosmic Glow was a “magical face oil”, it made our decade. How do you like to incorporate CGO into your skincare regimen? Do you have a preferred application method?
Cosmic Glow is one of my fave products! I use it in the evening at least a few times a week, especially when it’s cold and dry outside. I’ll first spray my face with a mist (I like the old school Avène in a can), add a serum and then occlude with Cosmic Glow.
Okay, this may be a tough one—what are your four holy grail products…the ones you absolutely cannot live without?
- iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30
- Kat Burki Form Control Marine Collagen Gel
- U Beauty Resurfacing Compound
—as told to Emma Treviño
