Natacha Karam on the Sensitive Skin Line That Stopped Her Breakouts, Baths and the Vitamin C Serum She Swears By

She stars on FOX’s 9-1-1: LONE STAR, but for Lebanese actress Natacha Karam, life outside of work involves breaking molds, taking baths and getting better about stretching.

What was the biggest change you noticed beauty-wise when you moved to the U.S.?

“Honestly, the first thing I noticed here was how rampant consumerism was. Just how many options there were of every single thing you could ever want or need. From toothpaste to lip balm to sunscreen, even smaller stores had an overwhelming amount of options—it was like nothing I’d ever seen before. It took some getting used to. The sheer volume of advertising and accessibility! It used to take me so long whenever I went to a drugstore, even if I only needed a couple things. I would spend ages reading packages and trying to understand the difference between things. Now, I try to take recommendations from people and sources I trust, rather than figuring it out myself! Oftentimes, I learn about beauty products in the hair and makeup trailer at work; I get advice from makeup artists who’ve already done the research so I don’t have to.”

Is there anything still “shocking” to you that we do in the U.S. beauty-wise that you never saw before?

“The sheer volume of products most people have in their personal collection! I think most beauty routines are pretty similar in a lot of the places I’ve lived in because of social media and the internet and media in general. A lot of the messaging is the same, but what differs is what is ‘a la mode’ in that season…what the current desired ‘look’ is. That changes culturally, from country to country and even from state to state and city to city. What terrifies me is how people are making more and more permanent and dangerous decisions to meet these ephemeral and fleeting trends.”

What are some of your favorite beauty products?

“My aesthetician Zaida Gordon at Skintegrity in LA put me onto a clean skin-care line for sensitive skin. It’s called Hale & Hush and I only use their skin care now. When I first saw her, I was having breakouts and coming up in rashes, my skin barrier was comprised, and every product felt stingy on my face. It’s been over a year since I changed over to these products, and I’ve had consistently clear and healthier skin since. I love the vitamin C serum and the Quiet face wash.

I also use a silicon face brush Luna by Foreo to wash my face every day, which gives me a good cleanse without too much exfoliation. Other than skin care, I love perfume. I have been wearing Coco Noir’by Chanel for probably ten years and I wear Byredo hair perfume in my hair in La Tulipe. I’m particular about scents, whether that’s in beauty products or candles, so when I find something I love, I usually stick with it! I also love Malin + Goetz’s eucalyptus deodorant and the Cannabis Eau de Parfum, body wash and candles are delicious, too.”

Shooting 9-1-1 Lonestar must be heavy. How do you decompress after a day on-set?

“Always a bath! I love baths. I take at least one bath a day, sometimes multiple. When I get home from set, I run a bath with either Epsom salts or a funky bath bomb and some oils in it then lie there and soak in some dim lighting. That’s usually my decompression routine, and If I can convince my lovely boyfriend to give me a shoulder massage or a foot massage, that always helps! I should prioritize stretching and recovery more than I do; I’m always so knotted up. But drinking lots of water—when I’m actually doing it—and getting enough sleep really helps reduce the stress my body holds on to.”

What are you most excited about this year?

“Growing. I love to feel like I’m evolving and growing, I hate feeling stagnant. I love to feel challenged and with a goal to achieve, I find I live more purposefully when I have an objective to achieve. I’m really looking forward to discovering what I will do over the 9-1-1 Lonestar hiatus. What new role awaits me?! I am manifesting something physical where I get to learn a new skill and immerse myself in a new world. I think that’s where I thrive.”

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