Celebrity Esthetician Sofie Pavitt Just Bottled Her Signature Acne-Fighting Facial

If you ask a Byrdie editor for their go-to esthetician, chances are you'll hear the name Sofie Pavitt. The facialist, known as NYC's "acne whisperer," has been a New York City secret for years, tending to the skin of cool girls and celebs like Lorde, Palama Elssser, and Benny Drama. However, last spring, she decided to share her talents with the world, launching her studio-grade skincare line, Sofie Pavitt Face.

The brand offers a curated assortment of products like the innovative Nice Ice Toner Pads and the beloved Mandelic Clearing Serum. While she's always focused on problematic skin, most of Pavitt's offerings are fairly universal. On June 4, she introduces her first true acne-treatment product: The Reset Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Mask.

Ahead is everything you need to know about the latest member of the Sofie Pavitt Face squad and our honest reviews.

The Inspiration

Like all of Pavitt's products, the inspiration for the Reset Mask came from working with clients in her studio and her favorite ingredients for acne-prone skin. "Benzoyl peroxide has been around for decades as an effective solution for acne clearing," Pavitt tells Byrdie. "Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a topical that treats acne and rosacea by reducing inflammation and killing or preventing bacteria growth on the skin."

If you've ever used benzoyl peroxide, you'll know it has a reputation for causing dryness, flaking, and even bleaching T-shirts and pillows. Luckily, Pavitt found the perfect solution for getting all the acne-fighting benefits with none of the side effects. "When working with our clients in the facial studio, one of the ways we integrate benzoyl peroxide usage into their routines is to use it as a short contact application to minimize the risk of irritation," she continues. "I would always search for a BPO mask on the market and never found one—so I made my own!"

The Formula

The Reset Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Mask has a creamy clay formula that can be used to spot-treat or all over the face, depending on your needs. As the name suggests, the star of the show is the 5% benzoyl peroxide, but there are also plenty of other ingredients to help clear and calm skin.
"We formulated the mask with Kaolin clay to absorb oil, 5% benzoyl peroxide, panthenol, and niacinamide for skin soothing and hydrating properties," says Pavitt.

"I love the short contact application format that you get from a mask: this reduces the risk of irritation and doesn’t stain your bedsheets like some spot treatments can," the facialist explains. "When combined with our Mandelic Clearing Serum, this becomes an acne-fighting super duo for our clients. I like my clients to start using it 2-3 times a week to begin, working up to as much as daily if dealing with persistent breakouts."

The Reviews

Bella Cacciatore, news editor

"I thought I had my acne under control, but I've had to take a break from my Spironolactone, and I've been dealing with some rogue pimples on my cheeks and chin. I've been using (and loving) a prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, but Sofie's mandelic serum is one of my must-haves, so I was curious to see how the new mask stacked up. I used the mask as a spot treatment, leaving it on my cheek pimple and all over my chin for about 10 minutes two nights in a row. While it didn't totally wipe out my acne, it definitely helped totally flatten and tone down the redness overnight. I could tell I had some pimples brewing on my chin, and it also helped knock them out before they could really sprout. Hopefully, my skin gets back on track soon, but I'll definitely be keeping the Reset Mask on deck for any emergencies in the meantime."

Star Donaldson, associate social director

“I recently went to see Sofie at her studio and was lucky enough to get a sample of this mask. She recommended it as an ‘area treatment’ rather than spot treatment which really intrigued me. I mostly get hormonal breakouts on my chin so I put this mask to work as soon as I saw trouble brewing. I used the mask everyday for four days and saw improvement after every use! I found that applying it to my entire chin—not just my active breakouts—helped bring things to the surface and treat them simultaneously. This product has quickly become a staple in my acne care routine—I’m super impressed!”

You can shop the Reset Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Mask for $44 on sofiepavittface.com.