A-list aesthetician Mila Moursi breaks down your quarantine skincare routine

From work to schooling (either for yourself or for your children), the on-going pandemic has forced all of us to adapt our routines to being at-home. The same holds true when it comes to self-care.

Months of missed salon appointments during lockdown have turned us all into amateur colorists, manicurists and even brow waxers - even if the results are mixed.

But if you’re missing your regular facials (or you just need a pick-me-up as we enter month six of quarantine), aesthetician Mila Moursi has all of your skincare needs covered. Opening her West Hollywood-based Mila Moursi Skin Care Institute & Day Spa in 1981, Moursi also created her eponymous skincare line for at-home treatment.

Educated in Paris, Moursi underwent training in water therapy and dietetic nutrition in addition to earning her aesthetician degree. “All of these areas relate to each other,” Moursi explained, adding that her diverse training allowed for her to develop a more holistic approach to skincare with advanced techniques like dry contouring and sculpting massage.

“These techniques are more corrective, more serious than simply cleansing someone's skin,” she said, noting that both techniques serve as a muscle workout as well as skin regeneration to lift and firm without the use of machines or more invasive procedures. “Our spa was the first in LA to offer the technique of natural rejuvenation that we call dry contouring and sculpting massage, which is now widely used by other aestheticians,” she said.

Moursi also added cosmetic chemistry studies to her resume, partnering with Dr. Louis Renaud to develop her line of products that aim to combine nature and science. It’s this approach that helped earn Moursi a dedicated celebrity following including Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and Candice Bergen.

Ahead, Moursi shares her skincare tips for combating the effects of quarantine stress (and life spent in a mask).

What’s going on with your skin?

If you’ve found your skin has been acting out over the past few months, you’re not alone. Moursi noted that stress can affect your skin’s appearance, most commonly showing up in the form of acne, lackluster or tired skin and even conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

“To help combat signs of stress from showing on your skin, you should try to get enough sleep,” Moursi recommended. “Adults between the ages of 25 to 65 should get between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, which may mean putting your cell phone on silent for an uninterrupted night.”

Drinking more water is another way to help your skin out, as is paying attention to your diet. “Too much sugar or alcohol can aggravate signs of stress on the skin,” Moursi explained.

According to Moursi, staying away from aggressive at-home treatments that can actually do more harm than good is equally important. “For those who won’t be able to see a professional in the foreseeable future, don’t attempt to do treatments that only a licensed professional should be doing,” she stressed. “For example, avoid home steaming, extractions and chemical peels, which can be very harsh on your skin.”

Preventing breakouts from your mask

Another common pandemic skin issue is breakouts caused by wearing (or, more accurately, sweating in) your face mask. Dubbed “maskne,” it’s not an excuse to skip the face-covering entirely, as Moursi explained there are steps you can take to eliminate the bacteria that cause acne.

“Keep wipes or a cleanser in your bag for times where you will be doing longer jaunts, like for errands or groceries,” Moursi said, noting that the goal is to keep sweat off of your face as much as possible.

Once you’re home and can remove your face mask for the day, Moursi says to use a gentle cleanser right away. “Then mist your face with a pH Balancing Toner to clarify the skin and maintain your skin’s natural balance,” she said, adding that this will also help the active ingredients in your other skincare products (think serums and moisturizers) to work more efficiently.

An easy at-home routine

“I believe that incredible skin requires consistency at home with a proper regimen and that there are no quick fixes,” Moursi explained of adopting a thorough at-home routine, pandemic aside.

“Always make sure you are thoroughly cleansing, toning and moisturizing at the very least,” she said, noting that it is especially important to ensure you’ve removed all traces of makeup and debris while cleansing.

“When you are applying your treatment products, take your time and enjoy the process. Don't be afraid to massage your skin with circular and upwards movements. It is so important to keep the blood circulating not only to look our best but to feel our best,” Moursi said. “If you have access to sheet masks, they make for a great at-home treatment,” she continued, noting masks can be used one to two times per week.

Moursi’s own collection of sheet masks includes targeted options for deep hydration, firming, lifting and soothing, depending on your needs. “Collagen Royal Jelly Bio-Cellulose Mask is a beautiful mask that contains collagen and royal jelly, but also multi-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize and revitalize skin. Global Anti-Age Mask is infused with a peptide complex that firms, lifts and tightens while helping encourage collagen synthesis,” she said of her two sheet masks. “Hydrating & Soothing Mask is an excellent sleep mask that works overnight to intensely hydrate and soothe stressed skin,” she added of the more traditional formula that works while you sleep.

The basics behind dry brushing (for the overachievers)

If you want to give your skin an extra boost, Moursi recommends dry brushing two to three times each week to improve microcirculation and help ward off stress.

“Dry brushing is a hybrid of exfoliation and massage,” Moursi explained. “As a full body exfoliating treatment, DIY dry brushing is performed with a soft-bristled brush stroked against the skin in slow, circular motions,” she said, noting that you should start at the feet and hands and move towards the heart.

“The brush sweeps away dead skin cells, debris, dirt and excess oil,” Moursi said of the exfoliation technique. “The smooth, exfoliated skin surface can then more effectively retain moisture and absorb nutrients from topical body care products and treatments,” she explained.

“Dry brushing also offers the benefits of massage by energizing the skin, improving microcirculation, and relaxing the body. Just as important, since much of the lymph system lies immediately underneath the skin, dry brushing stimulates lymph flow, helping the body rid itself of toxins.”