Naked Beauty Podcast with Brooke DeVard
Episode: How Sofie Pavitt Built Her Dream Career as NYC's Acne Whisperer
Release Date: August 18, 2025
Guest: Sofie Pavitt, Esthetician & Founder, Sofie Pavitt Skincare
Episode Overview
In this episode, Brooke DeVard welcomes Sofie Pavitt, NYC's acclaimed “Acne Whisperer” and founder of Sofie Pavitt Skincare. The conversation delves into Pavitt’s journey from the world of fashion design to launching a celebrated skincare studio and product line focused on real solutions for acne and problematic skin. They discuss beauty trends, the realities of building a business, motherhood, skincare myths, and the honest science behind truly effective products.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Sofie’s Unconventional Career Journey
- Sofie’s background is in fashion design (handbags and underwear), working at brands like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
- “I was so goth. I had no eyebrows, I had black hair, loads of tattoos and piercings, and I was designing underwear for, like, Holl. It was amazing. It was really cool.” – Sofie (07:38)
- Frequent business trips to Seoul exposed Sofie to advanced Korean skincare, influencing her transition to beauty.
- Korean skin treatments were “like traveling into the future.” – Sofie (12:48)
- She retrained as an esthetician, practicing on friends before launching her own studio; her immediate following came from fashion circles.
Building the Sofie Pavitt Brand & Philosophy
- Pavitt’s skincare studio focuses on result-driven treatments—not “spa” experiences.
- “Our goal is to get you to the best skin of your life. We're going to solve what is going on.” – Sofie (17:24)
- Studio team sees ~650 clients per month, creating an ideal “research & development” environment.
- Her clientele is predominantly 25+, seeking effective acne solutions—not self-acceptance messaging.
- “Acne is not sexy at all. And people in New York do not want to deal with it...They want products that work and they want to maintain it and just be done and not make it their whole identity. So that’s the difference.” – Sofie (03:14)
Demystifying Acne: Causes & Solutions
- Three factors contribute to acne:
- Overshadowing of skin cells (buildup/clogged pores)
- Oil production (influenced by environment, hormones, stress, etc.)
- C. Acnes bacteria (feeds on dead skin and oil)
- “The best way to clear your acne is to focus on Stripe 1, which is overshadowing of skin cells...Gentle exfoliation, that's it.” – Sofie (19:37)
- Main advice: Focus on gentle, consistent exfoliation (not aggressive treatments).
- Transition from medical to holistic approaches; dermatologists often address oil and bacteria (with meds), but exfoliating excess skin is key.
- Mandelic Acid serum: gentle, effective exfoliant, suitable for sensitive and melanated skin.
- “It's the largest molecule size in the AHA family...so it really helps brighten, but it also kills bacteria and it gently exfoliates without that irritation.” – Sofie (20:56)
- Regulation prevents mandelic acid products from being labeled as "acne treatments" — hence, creative marketing required.
Perioral Dermatitis & Product Overload
- Perioral dermatitis: often caused by overuse of products, especially buzzy “barrier-protecting” formulas or essential oils.
- “If you use too many of them [barrier creams], you can really, really rip up on the perioral dermatitis.” – Sofie (22:48)
- For flare-ups: “Literally nothing…Just leave it naked for like three or four days.” – Sofie (23:18)
- Caution around hypochlorous acid sprays: It’s a cleanser, not a hydrator. Overuse = irritation.
Skincare Routine Simplified
- Pavitt’s core routine: Cleanse, Treat, Hydrate.
- “You want to stay really boring. It’s like the hormone advice, right?...One treatment in the morning, one treatment in the evening is ample.” – Sofie (36:44; 37:10)
- Overly complex routines or multiple actives often worsen skin issues.
Product Recommendations & Ingredients
- Moisturizer: Developed specifically for acne-prone clients, prioritizing non-comedogenic, rich hydration.
- “80% of [acne clients] are really dry.” – Sofie (27:30)
- Non-comedogenic formula: Avoids ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, algae, etc., while still providing rich moisture.
- “It doesn't mean the comedogenic ingredients are bad…if you are acne prone, they are more likely to make your clearing journey slower and more difficult.” – Sofie (28:23)
- Clients can use her website to check if products contain pore-clogging ingredients.
Treating and Living With Acne
- Popping pimples: Never with fingers; use two Q-tips, only when a whitehead is visible.
- “If it doesn’t work with those, it’s not ready.” – Sofie (31:15)
- Extraction frequency: Not all skin needs regular extractions; depends on genotype and condition.
- Hormonal acne: Influenced by lifestyle more than just cycles; sleep, stress, diet, fiber, and exercise all play a role.
- “It's all just like, really boring advice, but it makes a huge difference.” – Sofie (36:07)
Sunscreen and Makeup Picks
- Sofie’s SPF recs (chemical, accessible in the US):
- Ultraviolet Supreme Screen
- Dr. Idris Disco Block SPF 50
- iS Clinical Extreme Protect
- “I am a chemical [sunscreen] girl.” – Sofie (38:17)
- Fav acne-safe makeup:
- Ciel (cream blush, tint and protect base)
- Dr. Jart CC Cream
- Tower 28 Blushes
- Farah Harmony Lip, Violette (matte lips)
- Haircare favorites:
- Crown Affair (finishing gel, dry shampoo)
- RŌZ by Mara Roszak ("it’s like a milk")
- “I love their [ROZ] pump milk, which is really gorge.” – Sofie (40:52)
- For quick, easy glam:
- Danessa Myricks Foil Sticks: “For me, Danessa made it easy…just that little droop on the eyelid. Instant glam.” – Sofie (41:32)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On finding your path:
- “The thing that you’re meant to do is actually the thing that you would do for free. Like, the thing you would do for free is what you're supposed to do for money.” – Brooke (15:26)
- “I am so deeply obsessed with what I do every single day.” – Sofie (15:46)
-
On motherhood and entrepreneurship:
- “For me, it's really important to show them that your mom can work and have like her own thing going on… Working for myself was like the greatest gift being a mom.” – Sofie (47:51)
- “I want to show them what I can do.” – Sofie (48:00)
-
On leadership and business growth:
- “Leading a team is really hard… I find it really hard to ask for help. So asking for help is something I'm learning that I need to do. Can't do it all myself.” – Sofie (44:31)
-
On beauty philosophy:
- “I feel my most beautiful sat with no makeup on on the beach in Rhode Island…in like a troll outfit. Not done up, you know.” – Sofie (49:51)
Important Timestamps
- 00:09 – Introduction to Sofie Pavitt and her background
- 01:13 – Launching with Sephora; brand philosophy
- 03:14 – Age demographics and acne expectations
- 06:00–10:00 – Sofie’s upbringing in Wales, fashion career path
- 12:12 – Exposure to Korean skincare; influence on career
- 14:00 – Retraining as an esthetician, early days, passion for service
- 17:00 – Studio experience: “not a spa,” treatment philosophy
- 20:16 – Deep dive: What causes acne?
- 22:48 – Product pitfalls: perioral dermatitis and overused actives
- 27:30 – Creating a rich, non-comedogenic moisturizer for acne-prone clients
- 31:13 – Safe pimple popping: “The Q-tip method”
- 34:52 – Hormonal acne, lifestyle impact, and routines
- 36:44 – The three-step routine: Cleanse, Treat, Hydrate
- 37:29 – Sunscreen recommendations (UV, Dr. Idris, iS Clinical)
- 39:37 – Makeup and hair picks in Sephora
- 41:42 – Life hacks for busy working mothers; relaxation, reading
- 44:31 – Leadership, managing business growth
- 47:51 – Entrepreneurship’s impact on motherhood
- 49:51 – When Sofie feels most beautiful
- 50:38 – Upcoming product launches – Easter eggs for loyal listeners
Tone & Takeaways
This episode is a blend of lively banter, concrete skincare science, and heartfelt wisdom about career reinvention and following one’s passion. Sofie’s approach—practical, science-based, and refreshingly unpretentious—stands out. The episode will empower listeners to rethink their skincare routines, embrace less-is-more, and pursue what lights them up, regardless of their current path.
For New Listeners
You’ll leave this episode with:
- Actionable acne and skincare advice rooted in real science and daily practice
- Product recommendations that actually work for acne-prone skin
- Insight into what it takes to radically change careers and build a brand from scratch
- A reminder that “boring” routines and advice often deliver the best results
- Inspiration for blending ambition, creativity, and authenticity—whether in beauty or beyond
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