Sofie Pavitt Wants You to Give Scrubs Another Chance

I’m not religious, so Sofie Pavitt is the closest thing I have to God. Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but as an acne-prone girl, I do take the “NYC acne whisper’s” word as gospel. She’s the reason I take fish oil for my skin, avoid spirulina like the plague (it can aggravate acne), and ice my zits as the first line of defense. So when she told me to use a gritty scrub last summer to help with some closed comodones, I prepared to diligently add one to my routine.

The problem? She didn’t have one in her namesake skincare line. Of course, there are plenty of other (great!) scrubs on the market, but considering my devotion to her products, I always look there first. Luckily, she hinted at the fact that she was working on one, and a few weeks later a lab sample of her latest launch, the Studio-Smooth Microdermabrasion Treatment showed up at my door.

I’ve been using the microdermabrasion in a tube for months now, and starting today, July 14, you can too. Ahead, Pavitt tells us all about her latest launch, plus my honest review.

The Inspiration

As always, Pavitt was inspired by the clients at her NYC studio. “I love our microdermabrasion treatment at the studio where we take a diamond tip microderm device and physically work it in the skin to lift texture,” she tells Byrdie. “Physical exfoliation has fallen out of favor with chemical exfoliation being so popular, however adding one into your routine if you’re dealing with dull dry skin, fine lines, or texture (think closed comedones, pebbly feeling, congestion), can be transformative.”

Pavitt says that she could never actually find a scrub that had struck the balance between an ultra-fine grain with just the right amount of abrasiveness to it. So she made one. “I developed my dream scrub, I’m so happy with it. Think of Studio- Smooth as your maintenance tool between facials—it will help you keep that baby soft texture.”

The Formula

“The texture had to be perfect—we used fine grain magnesium flakes in this scrub that delivers a super sandy polishing effect that is just amazing, your skin feels like a dolphin afterwards,” says Pavitt. The formula also includes zinc to help control oil, and PHAs for even more exfoliation as well as hydration. Of course, “It also obviously follows our non-comedogenic ingredient philosophy so is safe for clients prone to acne,” assures Pavitt.

Some of us have been burned by scrubs of yore, so Pavitt understands if you have some apprehension before dipping a toe back in, but says not to be scared of her ultra-gritty formula. “Scrubs feel nostalgic—you know the one everyone used in the 90s/00s, it was iconic because it made your skin feel incredible. Unfortunately, people went crazy with them, and the grains being organic and very sharp and spiky caused irritation and a lot of sad faces! Used correctly, they are amazing.” She points out that unlike the jagged kernels in old school scrubs, the magnesium flakes in her formula dissolve, so they’re much more gentle on the skin.

How to Use Studio-Smooth Microdermabrasion Treatment

Pavitt recommends the scrub for “anyone looking for that smooth, glassy look,” as well as clients dealing with dull, dry, patchy skin and pebbly texture. “If your boyfriend is dealing with breakouts or ingrowns in facial hair this will also be an amazing product for them.” (Confirmed, mine loves it.)

Pavitt instructs to use the scrub after washing your face—apply a dime-sized amount and scrub in gentle, circular motions before rinsing and patting dry. One important note: If you use chemical exfoliants or retinol, alternate nights with the scrub or use your other actives in the morning. “I tend to use every other night—I use my Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing serum in the AM and a Tretinoin on the other night,” shares Pavitt.

It’s also great before special occasions to ensure glowing skin and a smooth canvas for makeup, or, as Pavitt points out, right before applying self tanning drops: “Your skin is so smooth and ready to receive!”

My Review

This is easily the scrubbiest scrub I’ve ever tried. It’s a really unique texture—the grains are extremely fine, but there are a lot of them, so it has a thick, paste-like texture that does in fact feel a little like rubbing sand on your face. It’s not painful at all, but definitely more intense than I anticipated, so be gentle on your first use.

Paired with my trusty mandelic serum, it’s made a dent in my clogged pores, and is my secret weapon when I’m just looking a little blah. It’s also so satisfying to use—after, my skin feels like a baby dolphin and I can’t stop petting it. Makeup applies smoother, and I feel like it also makes the rest of my skincare work better since it doesn’t have to get through any dry flakes first. It really does feel like a treatment, and it’s become an essential in my weekly routine.