Sofie Pavitt's Skin Jelly Moisturizer Is Here—and so Good

Find yourself among beauty circles, and there’s a 99% chance you’ll hear Sofie Pavitt come up in conversation. The aesthetician, who’s widely known as NYC’s “acne whisperer,” is the ultimate expert for breakout-prone skin, having transformed a slew of complexions—including celebrities and countless beauty editors—from her downtown studio. (I practically begged to see her right before my wedding, if that tells you anything about her skin-clearing magic.)

She and her eponymous brand are often hot topics at the Who What Wear office, mainly because of her famous Mandelic Clearing Serum. Almost every single one of my coworkers has asked me whether it’s worth the hype, to which I proudly say: Yes, yes it is. Recently, however, I’ve been fielding questions left and right about another soon-to-be-launched Sofie Pavitt Face product—one I truly can’t shut up about since getting my hands on an early sample months ago. “Is it good?” one editor asked me as soon as I sat down at my desk. “Should I buy it?” another joined in.

My response? “Guys, it might be my favorite product of the whole line.” Soon, multiple staffers announced their plans to add it to their carts, all before I poured my first cup of coffee. I suggest you do the same before it flies out of stock. Trust me—this one’s a winner.

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Jamie Schneider testing Sofie Pavitt's Skin Jelly Moisturizer

Here she is! Introducing Pavitt’s Skin Jelly Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer, a lightweight hydrator with a bouncy, gelatinous feel. Like its name suggests, there’s zero oil in the formula—a great addition to your routine as we head into summer—and, as a bonus, actually helps balance oil production thanks to zinc and copper PCA. That said, if your skin leans drier, don’t fret; the moisturizer also comes infused with beta-glucan and panthenol to hydrate and soothe the skin, along with allantoin and centella asiatica to help soothe redness and inflammation.

Jamie Schneider testing Sofie Pavitt's Skin Jelly Moisturizer

I personally have combination skin that’s also breakout-prone and a little sensitive (such a fun combo, I know) so this is literally the perfect formula to target all my needs. Not to mention it wears incredibly well underneath makeup. The jelly consistency is a bit primer-like, in my opinion, and it clings to foundation and concealer flawlessly. No pilling whatsoever.

It doesn’t have a glowy finish, if that’s something you typically look for in moisturizers, but don’t think that means it isn’t hydrating. It’s not like traditional mattifying moisturizers, which often have a tacky effect on the skin. It glides like a dream, and I can actually feel its soothing, plumping effects with each application. My complexion still appears hydrated, just not greasy—a balance that’s very, very difficult to strike. It’s definitely a departure from the brand’s Omega Rich Moisturizer, which has a dense texture and dewy dry-down. Both are noncomedogenic (would you expect anything less from the acne whisperer?), but the jelly version will suit folks who are looking for something a little less thick. As Pavitt herself said during a brand presentation, this is a “moisturizer for people who hate moisturizers.”

If your skin runs super oily, Pavitt says you could use her Screentime SPF 30 as your sole moisturizer (it’s super creamy and hydrating), and apply Skin Jelly at night. That said, layering both during the day hasn’t caused any problems for my combination, breakout-prone skin. For two months, I’ve been applying Skin Jelly every single morning after the Mandelic Clearing Serum—a product I restock time and again despite having access to practically every beauty product under the sun. I can already tell this Skin Jelly moisturizer will also fall into that camp, and as much as I want to gatekeep its sorcery, I won’t rest until every beauty fan I know has tried it for themselves.

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