5 Beauty Secrets I Learned From Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Dermatologist

Gone are the days when a consistently radiant glow is chalked up to good genes alone. In this era of multi skin-care regimens, what everyone really wants to know when they see a lustrous complexion is, "What are you using and who is your dermatologist?" Enter Manhattan dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD, and his eponymous skin-care line. A favorite of the perfectly complected Naomi Campbell and January Jones, it includes the award-winning Alpha Beta Peel, a must-have in ELLE editors' routines. Dedicated to making industry secrets available beyond his Upper East Side offices, Gross is tackling new frontiers in antiaging and developing accessible treatments and products to help smooth and luminize your skin.

What's the most common question you get from patients?

The phrase "tired-looking skin" has grown organically among my patient population. Dull, less vibrant, not responding like it used to.… The skin gets exhausted and runs out of energy. It can be from stress or pollution or lifestyle. Even the amount of heavy metals from hard water alone starts taking its toll on the skin and makes every problem you have look worse.

What's the best solution?

It's a rather quick fix. Skin needs an influx of energy from the mitochondria, which is like the battery within skin cells. This can come from a topical ingredient like vitamin C, the most powerful and important part of any antiaging routine. It's an antioxidant, which means it both increases collagen levels and protects the collagen you already have. It also works on uneven skin tones—an incredible combo. Vitamin C does lose some potency when exposed to air, so look for products with airtight valves, as well as amber bottles to help protect from light degradation.

What are the biggest changes in antiaging technology you've seen in the past few years?

Now we can do things that don't have a downtime. Treatments like Fraxel, with its significant recovery time and pain, are being phased out in favor of noninvasive lasers that smooth and firm without destroying or injuring the skin. My 3D laser treatments, for instance, are a combination, a cocktailing, of two lasers that stimulate collagen, remove uneven skin colors, work on redness, and firm skin on the face and neck. Another advantage of this approach is its reach: The cells that make collagen lie at multiple levels, but previous lasers have worked on only one skin layer. The GentleMax Pro uses dual-wavelength technology to heat skin to 45 degrees Celsius and encourages the fibroblast cells to stimulate collagen; the Vbeam laser follows to eliminate redness and continue stimulation of collagen production. Noninvasive lasers can even work preventively, meaning whatever stage you're in—a fine line, a wrinkle, drooping—if you have the budget, you can start doing treatments immediately to stop the clock. It's all based on not letting your skin's collagen production diminish. In your midthirties, when you start to see the texture of your skin change, you might start thinking about it.

Also, five years ago, no one thought that heat could destroy fat. We had the idea of freezing fat, maybe, and trying to break it up with ultrasound, but now there's SculpSure, which is a breakthrough, revolutionary treatment to reduce body fat with noninvasive lasers. The laser safely raises the temperature of body fat to destroy fat cells [adipose tissue] beneath the skin, which are then naturally eliminated by the body and don't return. If there is excess fat in certain pockets that have been resistant to diet and exercise, it's now possible to get rid of them. I think SculpSure will replace liposuction.

Are antiaging supplements effective?

Supplements are an important part of healthy living. My motto is, anything good for the heart is good for the skin. I'm a big fan of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils, resveratrol, and vitamin D. I believe they will slow the aging process to keep skin looking younger.

Where is the future of antiaging going?

LED light increases energy in fibroblast cells, stimulating collagen production. And it's completely nonirritating. You want to be sure, with any LED device, to look at the instructions and the claims. Government regulations require backup for statements that devices produce collagen; they require photos of people who have gotten results. LED light is the next frontier.

The Essentials

Orange, Eyewear, Fashion accessory, Bracelet, Glasses,

1. Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Spectralite Eyecare Pro ($159, drdennisgross.com),which utilizes red light therapy, can result in the reduction of fine lines if used for three minutes daily over eight weeks.

2. Lips have no ability to tan, so be sure to use a hydrating lip product with SPF, like Palmer's Cocoa Butter formula Swivel Stick ultimate moisture ($2.19, target.com).