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Chemical Peels, Daily Dog Walks and a Rainbow Diet: The Real Routine of A-List Dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross

August 3 | 5 minute read

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Words by Danielle Gay

We’re lifting the curtain on the habits of the truly beauty-obsessed – in glorious, granular detail. Their going-to-bed routines, the facialists in their Instagram ‘Close Friends’ and the weird and wonderful rituals they usually keep behind closed doors. Total honesty, zero gatekeeping and product recommendations galore: take note.

Dr Dennis Gross is a skincare luminary. The New York dermatologist, whose fans include A-listers spanning Selena Gomez, Zoë Kravitz and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, is world-famous for his transformative skin expertise and coveted at-home facial peels. 

His personal skincare philosophy centres on a three-step system: peel, treat and moisturise. It’s a routine he’s been using for 20 years – regular professional-strength chemical peels, followed by targeted treatments and a good moisturiser to lock it all in – and one we can all emulate thanks to his eponymous skincare brand. 

According to Dr Gross, clinical-level results don’t require a complicated routine – just a few expert-approved habits. From a strict LED light therapy regimen to the food philosophy he swears by and the importance of switching off from technology, he gave us all the details. 

 

Over the Rainbow

Dr Gross believes in feeding your skin from the inside out. The easiest way to do this? An eating plan he refers to as “the Rainbow Diet”: “I focus on high-quality proteins and – like the name suggests – colourful, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Some of my favourite foods include berries, beets, zucchini, yellow squash, citrus fruits and red grapes. I also make sure to get plenty of healthy fats from avocados and wild-caught salmon to keep the skin’s lipid barrier strong.” 

Off the menu? “White” foods like refined sugar and white flour “because they cause glycation, which is a process that actually stiffens and destroys your collagen fibres,” according to Dr Gross. 
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Work it Out

Dr Gross approaches exercise through the lens of longevity, balancing a heart rate-increasing aerobic workout with resistance training and gentle walking. “I aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in the mornings to get the heart rate up, whether that is on a stationary bike or an elliptical,” he reveals, adding, “Getting your heart rate up increases blood flow to the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients while flushing out waste products. It is, essentially, a workout for your complexion too.” 

Then it’s time for weights and stretching. Finally, “To round out my day, I take a long walk with the dogs in the evenings. This combination of movement and resistance ensures my body and my skin stay resilient.” 
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No-Phone Zone

Sleep is a critical part of any glowing skin routine – it’s when your skin goes into repair mode! – so, for Dr Gross, a good night’s rest is non-negotiable. He aims for seven to eight hours a night and follows a strict wind-down protocol.  

“That means no electronics and no devices at least one hour before bed, and it is best to keep them out of the bedroom entirely. I also wear earplugs to block out any disruptions. Creating this quiet, tech-free environment allows your body to focus fully on that vital cellular repair,” he says. 

 

The Glow Factor

Now for the part we’ve all been waiting for: the skincare. “My personal routine is built around the peel, treat, moisturise philosophy,” says Dr Gross. “Every single morning, I use my Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel. I also use my LED daily because jumpstarting that cellular energy is non-negotiable.” 

At night, he uses the Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions™ Fill + Repair Serum, followed by the powerhouse Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream to lock it all in and visibly firm the skin as he sleeps.  

Does he ever have skin concerns? “I do get redness occasionally and red skin is a red flag that your barrier needs help,” Dr Gross reveals. “When that happens, I rely on the pH Balance Replenishing Cream and I layer it with my DermInfusions™ serum to bring the skin back into equilibrium.” 

As for treatments, he swears by a monthly professional-strength chemical peel and regular LED light therapy to support collagen production, without any downtime: “If I’m not using my FaceWare Pro at home for three minutes a day, I’m under a professional-grade panel in the office." 
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A Daily Dose

Finally, Dr Gross relies on a handful of supplements to support his skin from within and provide his body with “the specific nutrients it needs”: “I take a daily multivitamin and a vitamin D supplement because I was once deficient due to my sun-protecting lifestyle and I make sure to have those levels checked yearly. I also take a high-quality omega-3 fish oil to support the skin’s moisture levels from the inside.”

 

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