She's Glowy, Rich & Available Now
Launch Day Q&A with Sofie Pavitt
Hello again!
Hope you all had a great rest of your Tuesday. Yesterday’s issue was all about moisturizer: the difference between moisture and hydration, types of moisturizing ingredients, what an emulsion is & more. Go check it out if you haven’t read it yet because it will make today’s special edition of Hotline Skin all the more interesting. For everyone who’s up to speed…
It’s time for an exclusive interview with Sofie Pavitt! Sofie is a familiar face around here and, honestly, everywhere these days. Based in NYC, Sofie owns and operates a skincare studio and is the founder of Sofie Pavitt Face, an award-winning skincare system designed for problematic skin that’s now available at Sephora. Today, Sofie Pavitt Face launched their newest product, Omega Rich Moisturizer!
I was lucky enough to attend the launch breakfast a few weeks ago at Russ & Daughters, which I don’t mention to brag but because it’s a perfect segue into talking about omegas. Omega fatty acids are essential nutrients that must be acquired through our diet. There are different types and they are necessary for many biological functions, including making up part of the lipids in our skin barrier.
Fatty acids are emollients, which help to trap in water and soften the skin barrier, like we discussed yesterday. They can also be anti-inflammatory, support the microbiome and help with skin tone. And that’s just what they do for the skin! Fatty acids are found in fatty fish, fish oil and some plant oils, which is why throwing an event for Omega Rich moisturizer at a restaurant famous for lox, smoked fish and caviar is a truly brilliant move.
The breakfast was the first time I got to experience Omega Rich in person and I was stunned to discover it was a reverse emulsion. For acne-prone skin! Again, check out yesterday’s post for a primer on all things emulsion, but to quickly refresh: most moisturizers are oil-in-water emulsions, where oil droplets are dispersed in water. Reverse emulsions are the opposite, water-in-oil, which creates a very different, intensely rich consistency. Unlike a gel or light cream that easily absorbs into the skin, reverse emulsions are thick and stay longer on the surface, really helping to lock in water and replenish the barrier.
I mentioned yesterday that I’m not really a big fan of the current popular reverse emulsions on the market because they take more effort to rub in and they’re not really meant for my skin, which is extremely acne-prone and not super dry. Obviously, Omega Rich is completely acne-safe (meaning won’t clog pores, not that it’s only good for acne-prone skin), so while my skin doesn’t always need something so rich, I’ve at least been able to use it enough to finally get the reverse emulsion appeal. It’s immediately softening and my preferred finish, glowy. I can’t really emphasize enough how luminous it is in the jar. It literally looks like glistening glue (positive). You do need to rub it in a bit, but it blends in beautifully & the payoff is instant.
It’s such a unique product, I figured you should hear about it from Sofie herself ;) Read on for a q&a with Sofie and a giveaway!
Describe the Omega Rich Moisturizer in 5 words.
RICH, HYDRATING, NON COMEDOGENIC, LUXE, ILLUMINOUS.
Why did you decide to launch a moisturizer as your next product?
The moisturizer completes the foundation of my Sofie Pavitt Face system–I wanted to create a line that was EASY and efficacious to use for clearing your skin at home, no appointment necessary. Every product on the line is designed with my own facial clients in mind- I work primarily on clients with problematic skin types and one of the things they would always ask me is what rich cream can I use on my skin that won't break me out? All the products I'd recommend would be fine, but not super hydrating and rich. So we designed our own :-))
How long did it take to develop?
Omega Rich has been in the works since 2023. It took a while to get the texture right. I wanted it to feel like a high end, luxury moisturizer but without the usual comedogenic suspects such as parkii shea or coconut–it took some ingenuity to get it perfect. I'm obsessed with the texture and finish of this cream.
Usually when you see a moisturizer marketed towards acne-prone skin, it’s a lightweight gel or cream. What inspired you to create something different? What’s a misconception people have about acne & rich creams?
There are so many great gels and creams on the market already! I only like working with products that don't really exist already. That's why my main focus was making a super luxe cream. It's a misconception that all acne sufferers are oily. In fact, I would say most of my clients are dry and sensitive. This is why I wanted to have this super rich, hydrating cream in place because I literally couldn't find one that was right for my clients. It gives that super illuminous glowing finish that is also so coveted.
Tell us about omegas! Why are they the featured ingredient & what makes them so good for acne-prone skin?
I tell literally everyone that a fish oil supplement will change your skin. Omegas (inside and out) are so beneficial for the skin, as they soften and bring down inflammation. Vegans take note: if you can't take fish oil make sure you're packing your diet with omegas from flax, chia, hemp and sunflower.
The key ingredients in Omega Rich are:
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Intensely hydrate and support a healthy skin barrier.
- Squalane: Visibly smooths skin texture and moisturizes.
- Jojoba and Argan Oils: Hydrate and nourish without clogging pores.
[Ed. Note: Sofie recommended this fish oil supplement to me over 5 years ago and I’ve been taking it ever since!]
Do you also recommend it for people who are not acne-prone?
I put a dime sized blob of this cream onto anyone's hand and immediately they are obsessed with the texture and finish of it. I honestly love this for all skin types. I’ve been using it for the last year and I have a folder of screenshots from clients texting me like addicts asking when they can get another sample pot... It's so moreish and I'm so excited to launch it into the world!
Anything else we should know about it?
non comedogenic, fragrance free, derm tested, vegan and available now at sofiepavittface.com and sephora.com!
✨DISCOUNT CODE: JOLIE10 for 10% off at sofiepavittface.com✨
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
One person will win Clean Clean Cleanser, Mandelic Clearing Serum and The Omega Rich Moisturizer from Sofie Pavitt Face! All you have to do to enter is like this post. For a second entry, write a comment. You must be subscribed to Hotline Skin. Giveaway closes on Sunday 2/23 at 5pm EST. The winner will be selected at random and notified on Monday 2/24 via the email you are subscribed with. Open to US only.
Thank you, Sofie & happy launch day!
Have a great week!
xx,
Jolie
Love Sofie's products!! And Jolie, I have my first appointment booked in March, super excited to come in! :)
Have been curious about Sofie Pavitt for a while now, and there's no better time to try a new moisturizer than this frigid weather!