My favorite facial in New York

She's quietly been my go-to for nearly a decade

In 2015, I was in my very early twenties and experienced one of the most aggressive bouts of hormonal acne in my lifetime (and that's honestly saying something). Not only were painful new zits sprouting up daily, but I was also obsessively scanning and picking at my skin in the mirror, so my face wasn’t just acne-ridden; it was wounded, inflamed, and scabbed. It was a mess—the kind of mess that made me burst into tears whenever I removed the layers of foundation and concealer that masked my zits and self-inflicted wounds.

At the time, I was constantly complaining to my sister Harley about my acne troubles (you know, in that classic, sibling, non-stop, whiney way). So, when Harley was out in Manhattan one night and a group of chic, fancy girls all boasted about this “life-changing facial” they had uptown with a woman named Sofia that “completely fixed” their skin, my sister took down the esthetician’s name and number and sent it my way. I typically believe that eradicating acne is a journey made up of many changes, and I don’t mean to oversimplify my tumultuous experience with my skin. However, if I’m being completely honest, I don't think my acne would have ever improved without the significant help of this specific facial treatment and esthetician.

During our first treatment, I immediately noticed that her extractions were done with an unparalleled level of meticulous precision and care—she spent nearly thirty minutes smoothing out all the bumps and texture on my skin, but somehow there was only a faint redness left behind to show for it after the facial. The products and devices she used during the treatment were all from Biologique Recherche (a brand I’d never heard of at the time but have since grown to worship)—a pricey, luxury French skincare brand with potent formulas that contain ingredients that are equal parts skin-plumping and sebum-controlling. I remember walking out of her spa with dewy, soothed, glowing skin—despite all the extractions (she even used a lancet! ), my skin looked better than it had in months. Over the following week, I received compliments on my glowing complexion daily, which was incredible (and a serious confidence booster) given that I had spent the last year desperately trying to hide my skin by whatever means necessary. And the results of her facial combined with the products she recommended I use at home had a real lasting effect: for the first time in ages, no new zits were forming. This confirmed to me just how special she truly was.

Fast forward to nearly a decade later, and I’m in a much different position now. Sure, I’m still kind of pimply when it’s my time of the month or if I use the wrong hair products, but my acne is nowhere near as intense and unrelenting as it was back then. With my wedding just a month away, I was on the lookout for a facial that could clear congestion, even out hyperpigmentation, and provide my skin with that intense glow and deep hydration every bride dreams of. There was no doubt in my mind that Sofia was the perfect person to turn to.

As a beauty journalist, I've gotten countless facials and treatments over the years. So when I say this, please be aware that it’s kind of a big deal: anytime I’m getting a facial, no matter how fancy the spa or famous the esthetician might be, I always kind of think to myself, “I wish I was getting a treatment with Sofia instead.” She’s really just that good. Yes, she’s insanely masterful at dealing with acne-prone skin, but I also have many friends and family members—like my mom, for example—who are just as obsessed with her ability to lift, sculpt, and plump the skin. She has magic hands that I genuinely believe are equipped to handle any sort of skin type.