Sam Morgan Loves In-Office Laser Treatments

Actor, director, musician and model Sam Morgan has been doing this “Hollywood thing” since he was a teenager. Best known for his breakout role in Showtime’s Shameless opposite Jeremy Allen White, he also starred in Paramount’s American Woman alongside Alicia Silverstone, after being handpicked by producer John Wells (The West Wing, ER). Up next: A slate of soon-to-be-announced film projects and—perhaps not surprising for someone who’s spent years in front of the camera—an expert-level understanding of skin care, sunscreen and in-office treatments.

I heard you know your products! What are some of your go-to skin-care items right now?

“So, before I get into that, I have to preface with the fact that my brother-in-law has worked in the skin-care industry for basically my entire life. He sells those lasers that do resurfacing and all that, so I guess I’m a bit of a nepo-kid in the skin-care department. My brother-in-law refers to me as a ‘time optimist,’ which is code for ‘always late.’ That said, I like to keep my day-to-day skin care simple and efficient because I am always on the go—either traveling for work or rushing off to a casting. I rotate a benzoyl-peroxide face bar with a gentler cleanser like CeraVe or Cetaphil. And for hydration I keep a vitamin C serum and a gel moisturizer on deck; Trader Joe’s has a really great moisturizer for like $8 and it’s great if you’re on a budget. Then, of course, sunscreen. Lately, I’ve been using this Clinique Men moisturizer with SPF, and it’s been hitting the spot.”

Is there anything you love having on set?

“Don’t laugh, but I don’t go anywhere without my Gua Sha tool. There’s a stainless steel one I got on Amazon for under $10 a couple years ago and I swear by it. Lymphatic drainage works wonders especially if you had a late night right before you’re about to be on camera. And the stainless steel isn’t porous—like a stone—so it won’t cause breakouts or whatever.”

Are you a big wellness person? If so, what do you do?

“It’s funny, someone asked me that the other day and I never really thought about it, but I guess I am. I love to train Muay Thai. I’ve been doing it for years and it really helps me get out of my head. Also, I’ve been practicing Transcendental Meditation for almost nine years. And that has totally changed my life for the better.”

Do you like getting derm treatments? If so, what have you tried?

“LASERS, LASERS, LASERS. I’m a huge fan and have been experimenting with them since I was in high school. I recently tried this noninvasive, radio-frequency treatment called Everesse from Cartessa and that is some wild technology! It’s crazy to see how much people can do without any scalpels or needles.”

Can you share any tips that keep you feeling your best when travelling for work?

“I swear by a process from my friend, Kate Bone, who runs a wellness collective called The Wonderwell. She refers to it as ‘The 3Ms’—movement, meditation and morning pages/journaling. This, plus a ton of water will keep you right on the road.”

Is there a “dream” project or role that is currently on your radar?

“My dream project is on the way. I’d love to do some sort of elevated sci-fi movie or series like Alex Garland’s Ex-Machina or Blade Runner—something that uses sci-fi or fantasy to explore the human condition more deeply. My favorite book growing up was Interview With the Vampire and I was always struck by the idea of infinite time becoming a prison. You have to reframe your entire existence on this planet when you are forced to live forever. Social constructs, morality, etc., becomes shifting sand and falls away and you have to find out who you are beyond all of those things. That’s the type of material I want to explore.”

What are you most excited about this fall?

“I’m shooting a horror film in Spain called The Betrayer and I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say beyond that but I’m super stoked because it will be my first time in Barcelona, and I miss Europe; I used to live in Berlin. So, this will be a cool work adventure.”