Sofie Pavitt Just Bottled Your Favorite Contrast Therapy Facial

I have a beauty confession: I really don’t like saunas. There is nothing luxurious or comfortable to me about sitting in a small quiet room on a towel, sweating profusely, and then dunking myself into ice cold water for up to a minute. This fact is not only preventing me from attending the countless beauty events happening in New York City’s ever-growing list of upscale bathhouses, but is also driving a wedge between me and my friends, who all suddenly have Othership memberships.

However, if I can get down with contrast therapy in one area, it’s in my skincare. I love a facial that steams to open the pores, then finishes with a post-extraction cryo treatment. I’ve treated many a hangover with a steaming hot shower followed by an ice roller, and the Shark Depuffi—a large metal gua sha that heats up to move fluid and then gets ice cold to de-puff–is truly a Godsend for allergy season.

So when one of my favorite skincare brands, Sofie Pavitt Face—led by NYC’s “Acne Whisperer” Sofie Pavitt—started teasing hot and cold imagery, I got excited. Finally, we have all the details on the Temp Check Mask Duo, `which launches today, October 6. Read on for all the details from Pavitt herself, plus my honest review.

The Inspiration

Like most of Pavitt’s products, Temp Check was created to bring the treatments and results from her NYC studio to your home. In this case, the mask duo was inspired by her beloved Contrast Therapy Facial. “Heat preps the skin, encourages microcirculation and feels super sensorial,” she tells Byrdie. “Cryo/cold keeps it plump, lifted and bright. I wanted to bring that experience home in a way that was simple and effective.”

While many of Pavitt’s products are made with acne-prone skin in mind, she shares that Temp Check was formulated for all skin types. “If you’re someone who wants the exfoliation and brightening benefits of a mask without anything too harsh or stripping, this duo is for you,” she explains. “If you’re looking for that ‘glassy’ skin vibe, this is ideal. The only caveat: if you have active, inflamed acne, stick to just the Cool Down Mask from the kit and skip the Warm Up until things are calmer.”

“[I love] that it genuinely feels like a studio facial treatment at home,” she adds. “Clients always leave the studio looking visibly awake and glowing, and that’s exactly what I wanted people to be able to recreate themselves, no appointment necessary.”

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The Formula

The Temp Check Mask Duo comes with, you guessed it, two masks, as well as a rubber spatula and a cute little stand for everything. The first step is the Warming Mask, a creamy mask that heats up as you apply it. “The Warm Up Mask has fruit enzymes bromelain and papain that gently dissolve dead skin cells for smoother, brighter, clearer skin,” says Pavitt.

You could stop there, but you can also apply the Cooling Mask as a final step. This one has a cushiony gel texture to instantly cool and soothe, and is packed with calming ingredients. “On the Cool Down side, the Centella Complex is a favorite [ingredient]—it contains four active compounds that calm redness and irritation while strengthening the skin barrier.”

“It also feels amazing—the warm up mask is self-heating, so it feels really pleasant on the skin and then starts to tingle as the enzyme kicks in. Once this is wiped off, skin feels spicy, and the cool down mask immediately feels soothing and refreshing.”

As for how to use the duo, Pavitt recommends using it 1-2 times per week as your “treat” step—that means in place of any actives. “Start with the Warm Up Mask on clean, dry skin for 10-15 minutes. The enzymes will gently exfoliate and prep the skin. Rinse, and immediately follow with the Cool Down Mask. The contrast of warm then cold is what really makes this work. The heat opens things up and the cold soothes and seals. Follow up with Skin Jelly to lock in hydration, and you’re done.”

My Review

I’m not a huge mask girl, but if it comes out of Sofie Pavitt’s lab, I’m putting it on my face. This duo is super fun to use—it takes me back to playing “spa night” in middle school—and feels more like an indulgence than a quick fix. The Warm Up mask does, in fact, warm up, which adds that special “it’s working” feeling. It felt a little spicy but not painful, and I was a little flushed after (but nothing scary). The Cool Down mask has a lovely cooling sensation that would be amazing after getting a little too much sun. After using the duo, my skin definitely looked smooth, bright, and plump, and felt super soft—the glassy skin promises were definitely ulfilled. I’ll certainly use the duo anytime I want to add a little fire and ice to my routine, or when I want that spa vibe at home.