Sofie Pavitt has built one of New York’s most sought-after studios by approaching skincare as both science and sanctuary. Known for her clinical precision and groundedness, she creates a space where people feel tended to in every sense — where the treatment plan matters as much as the conversation, and where simplicity becomes its own form of quiet luxury.
Rooted in the lessons of her mother and grandmothers, Sofie’s philosophy resists excess in favor of clarity — a practice of editing down, keeping what works, and returning to the rituals that restore you. In our conversation, she shares the inheritance that shaped her, the discipline of restraint, and how her collaboration with SIDIA, The Studio candle, was designed to translate her atmosphere into scent.
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For many of us, our earliest lessons in beauty and self-care come from our mothers or grandmothers. Is there a particular ritual, piece of advice, or memory from the women in your family that you carry with you in your work or daily life?
"My mum and grandmothers always worked. My mum started out working as a hairdresser and some of my earliest memories would be of her setting my nans hair in a perm at home in the kitchen- I remember the rollers and papers, the smell of the setting lotion. I think the lesson I took from that is that despite working and taking care of everyone in my daily practice whether as a mum or facialist its okay to still have a moment to yourself a few times a week. I always get my lash extensions, keep a hair appointment booked, take a moment to get a manicure every couple of weeks. It’s important to take care of yourself especially if your job is an act of service to others."
Your studio has become a kind of sanctuary — a place people trust not just with their skin, but with their stories. What kind of energy do you try to create the moment someone walks through your door?
"We want our clients to feel welcomed, comfortable, and seen. One of my favorite parts of the new studio space is the big couch in the middle of the room. I feel like I'm entering a friend's living room where I can just unwind to chat and let go of the more stressful parts of my day. I also emphasize our studio is not a spa :-) you can expect to conversate with your esthetician, go home with one of our treatment plans in place and our goal is to get you to the best skin of your life."
Your approach to skincare is clean, clinical, and calm, but never cold. What anchors your philosophy, especially in an industry that can feel so trend-obsessed and extreme?
"My philosophy is anchored in simplicity and routine. With so many amazing products on the market, it becomes very easy to want to try everything, and too many products can often cause more harm than good. With Acne in particular, I think a lot of our clients can feel lost at sea with all the conflicting advice, ingredient recommendations etc.- but the truth is, its relatively simple to clear your skin with simple routines, consistency, and trusting the process."
"My philosophy is anchored in simplicity and routine.”
You’ve said that skincare should feel accessible, not overwhelming. What would you say to someone who’s trying to come home to themselves through their skin, but doesn’t know where to begin?
"Start with a good cleanser that doesn't strip the skin (I love my Sofie Pavitt Face Clean Clean Cleanser for this) and find an SPF you love to wear. From there, work in a treatment step and add a moisturizer if your skin feels like it could use the extra hydration. Keep it simple. The cleanse, treat, hydrate, protect model we use at the studio (and product line) is my favorite and it’s so simple."
The Studio” captures the atmosphere of your own space and brings it into someone’s home. What feeling did you want this scent to hold, the moment it’s lit?
"I wanted the scent to feel inviting and fresh, like our studio when you enter and your skin when you leave. As all of our product offerings are fragrance free; I was so excited to create a signature scent that is associated with the studio. I love scent memory, and the ambience fragrance can evoke in a space."
So much of skincare is about what we apply. But what do you believe we need to release in order to truly feel at home in our skin?
"At my skincare studio, every client leaves with an individualized routine. Skincare is not one size fits all, and it's important to us to help clients better understand what their unique needs are to feel more at home in their skin."
The Studio’ feels like a meeting of two rituals — yours and Sidia’s. What made you trust that Sidia was the right home for this scent?
"Every product in my skincare line is born from a need we see in the studio, and I deeply share the belief that formulas should be intentional and purposeful. I love our Sidia collaboration and the scent really captures the vibe in the studio- I couldn’t be happier with it."
Sofie's Ritual:
