Female Founder Spotlight: Sofie Pavitt on Her New Innovative Skincare Line

Sofie Pavitt teaches us about her “Simple Solutions for Problematic Skin” and the distinct ingredients that set Sofie Pavitt Face apart.

I had the amazing opportunity to sit down and chat with THE Sofie Pavitt! Sofie shares her evolution from the world of fashion to skincare, and her profound motivation to address problematic skin types. Through this candid conversation, I gained a glimpse into Sofie’s remarkable journey as a female founder, facing challenges with resilience and carving her path in a predominantly male industry.

RK: Tell us who you are, and what got you into skincare and being an aesthetician.

SP: I’m Sofie Pavitt, the founder of Sofie Pavitt Face and a licensed esthetician based in NYC. I worked in fashion for 15 years and started giving my friends facials alongside my fashion job for two years before going into skincare full time around 7 years ago. I specialize in problematic skin types such as acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis etc. I love seeing the change in confidence within my clients when improving their skin.

During her years in the fashion industry, Sofie’s work often led her to Seoul, where she first encountered the captivating realm of K-Beauty. Surrounded by the innovative skincare landscape, she was particularly intrigued by advancements like sheet masks – a concept that was novel at the time. In a period when K-Beauty was relatively unknown to most, Sofie found herself immersed in these innovations, embracing the indulgence that would later influence her skincare journey.

RK: Can you tell us about your new skincare launch? What inspired you to create this product line?

SP: Our tagline is ‘SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMATIC SKIN’. I found that my clients didn’t know where to start when clearing their acne with so many products out there and conflicting information on what works. I wanted to also bring products to the market for clients who wanted a beautifully ‘designed, curated line but with problematic skin in mind.

RK: In a world where a new skincare product seems to launch every day, what sets your skincare products apart from others in the market? Could you highlight some unique features or ingredients?

SP: We launched with our Mandelic Clearing Serum. Mandelic acid is a hero ingredient we use constantly in my studio- we love combining it with other actives to clear acne, to help retinols work better, to brighten dark spots and illuminate the skin. This is a serum that is so gentle but giving you this low and slow exfoliation that is just so perfect combined with other actives.

The Clean Clean Cleanser preps the skin beautifully to receive your actives in your routine: its ideal after wearing sunscreen, and is a gel cleanser that acts like a cream cleanser in the sense that it cleans so well without drying the skin.

RK: As a female founder, what challenges have you faced in the beauty industry, and how have you overcome them?

SP: I feel really lucky that I have 15 years of manufacturing experience so when I started developing it wasn’t completely alien to me. I think it surprises a lot of (mostly male) factory owners that I know what I’m talking about. I’m also a mom to two young kids, so that has been challenging balancing work and taking care of their needs as well as managing my home with my husband.

RK: What advice would you give to other aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to break into the skincare or beauty sector?

SP: My biggest advice is to work with intention and integrity. What makes your product special? Is there a need for it? What’s your special sauce? I feel so passionate about problematic skin and only bring products to market that I feel are missing from the products I want to offer my own clients in my studio.

RK: What message or feeling do you hope customers take away from using your skincare products?

SP: I want customers to feel empowered in dealing with breakouts and to give them the confidence to take control of their own skin.

RK: Put us in your shoes. What does an average day in your life look like?

SP: I usually wake up at 6 AM drink some coffee and look at social media. I know this is bad- but I love it. I get my 2 year old up and get him ready for school and then my four-year-old wakes up too. I always get their clothes and bags for school ready the night before to make the mornings less painful for us. My husband and I tag team the school run, then I either head to my studio in Chinatown to see clients, center aesthetic dermatology or work in the office on the skincare line with my other team.
Every day is different. Right now I’m working a lot on bringing our products to other estheticians and dermatologists in NYC so a lot of in-person meetings. I drink way too much coffee- I’ll have another one after lunch and we eat a lot of amazing Chinese food at the studio too. I pick up my little guy early eve and we all eat dinner together as a family- I wait until they’re in bed and then I get ready for bed and then start my emails. I always get ready for bed and do my skincare routine/brush my teeth etc. before working otherwise I’m so tired afterward I won’t do it! I head to bed around 11 and start it all over again the next day.

RK: What are some of your favorite beauty products at the moment?

SP: Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen I’m obsessed with! Leaders Amino Moisture Mask for hydration after the sun. Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum for gentle low and slow daily exfoliation and Soonjung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream for serious comfort for irritated summer skin.

RK: What’s next for Sofie Pavitt?

SP: We have a really cool (literally) product launching in September which I’m so excited to share with the world.

Want more details on Sofie Pavitt Face? Here are their two newest products available now on Soko Glam:

1. Clean Clean Cleanser $34

A foaming cleanser for all skin types, including blemish-prone and sensitive skin. It contains key ingredients like Allantoin, Panthenol, and Glycerin, for a refreshing cleanse without compromising skin integrity, leaving your complexion feeling hydrated.

2. Mandelic Clearing Serum $54

A daily exfoliating serum with Mandelic Acid, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, and calming ingredients to promote an even skin tone, nourish, and prevent dryness.