We rounded up the best Dr. Dennis gross products, because over the last 25 years Dr. Gross and his wife Carrie have turned this brand into an skincare behemoth, building out an assortment of products with powerful active ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid, niacinamide, as well as glycolic and lactic acids. This stuff clears pores, breaks down dead skin cells, balances oil levels, smooths roughness and wrinkles, reduces hyperpigmentation, counters dullness. At this point  the lineup is incredibly comprehensive—and slightly overwhelming—so we did the hard work of testing it all and picking out the 10 creams and serums that are absolutely worth your hard-earned dough. 

Also: It's not just creams and serums. You’ll notice one major advanced-level product on the roster—to the tune of $400+. It’s an FDA-approved piece of hardware that, for 3 minutes a day, can give you clinical-level results towards a more firm, youthful, clear complexion. Well worth the investment, in my humble opinion—as are all the rest of the best Dr. Dennis gross products.  

Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA cleansing gel

One of the best ways to keep clear, smooth complexion is to use a gently exfoliating cleanser, and Dr. Gross has formulated the perfect recipe here. Glycolic and lactic acids harmonize with willow bark extract (which itself is a source of salicylic acid) to dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores. Best of all, it's a pH-balanced cleanser, so it won't upset your skin despite all of the exfoliation it's doing. 

Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA cleansing gel$38

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross eye serum

An eye-area serum fueled by the smoothing superpowers of retinol and bakuchiol. It's a rare eye product that is also safe and effective for use on the eyelids, in addition to the delicate skin that circles each eyeball (included the "11"-shaped divots that form between the brows). Use it nightly and within a few months, note the significant improvements on your (superficial) alertness and youthfulness.

Dr. Dennis Gross eye serum$69

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA moisturizer

I think this moisturizer does everything under the sun (well, except block the sun's rays). It nourishes and fortifies skin with squalane, ceramides, and malic acid. Meanwhile, it also gently targets dead skin and sebum buildup with a combination of AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. And it even smells divine!

Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA moisturizer$68

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross extra-strength daily peel pads

These peel pads are full of beautiful contradictions: Usually, you wouldn't do a peel daily (even weekly is a stretch). But these texture-smoothing pads are gentle enough for daily use and a sustained clear, bright radiance. That being said, they're also extra strength, so they're gentle and strong at the same time. Think of them this way: If your skincare regimen is involved and you are used to products with active ingredients (like the others on this list), then these extra strength pads should be great for you. If you're still tiptoeing into the advanced skincare level, then try DDG's sensitive-skin peel pads.

Dr. Dennis Gross extra-strength daily peel pads$88

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross mineral face sunscreen SPF 30

Oil-free and fully physical (as in, no chemical SPF ingredients), this facial sunscreen works on all skin types—its 16% zinc oxide shield deflects UV rays like nobody's business. In addition to shielding your mug from skin-aging rays, it also delivers a bevy of antioxidants and vitamins to keep skin bright, as well as fortified against equally harmful environmental pollutants.

Dr. Dennis Gross mineral face sunscreen SPF 30$42

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross salicylic acid acne gel

I use this as a nighttime spot treatment for one-off pimples, or as a broader application in problematic areas—like if the entire side of my face has flared up all at once. I'd say, about 75% of the time, the blemish has been stifled by morning, and 100% of the time it's at least significantly reduced). It uses pore-clearing salicylic acid, the natural-astringent monk's pepper, and texture-smoothing + skin-soothing niacinamide.

Dr. Dennis Gross salicylic acid acne gel$40

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross LED therapy mask

One of the best at-home advancements of late is the FDA clearance of LED face masks, like this cult-favorite. It's an investment, yes, but a simple 3-minute daily procedure can work miracles on wrinkles, acne, loss of firmness, and discoloration. You can combine red and blue light treatments with each use, or isolate them (the light color determines the function—blue fights acne, red addresses textural concerns). Dr. Gross promises significant improvements in 10 weeks.

Dr. Dennis Gross LED therapy mask$435

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross overnight retinol peel

While I already praised the extra-strength daily peel pads, this one is the heaviest hitter of them all. It's approved for use 2-3 times weekly, but I sub it in for the daily pads once a week, and I target a little extra juice on any hyperpigmentation, rough texture, or wrinkles. I notice a next-day brightness and firmness that seems to hold its stance a bit more with each use.

Dr. Dennis Gross overnight retinol peel$78

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross wrinkle smoothing night cream

This cream is powered by skin-clearing and -smoothing retinol (and its natural alternative, bakuchiol, no less). Apply it all over your mug, but pay close attention to areas with wrinkles, fine lines, rough texture, and looseness. Nightly wear should help steadily counter these conditions, allowing you to wake each day with a more youthful glow.

Dr. Dennis Gross wrinkle smoothing night cream$75

Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross retinol smoothing serum

Let's say you've already got a bedtime moisturizer of choice, and aren't interested in the above night cream. Very well, but you should at least incorporate retinol into the mix. This texture-smoothing serum helps target fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, acne, and more. Use it uniformly across your face or on problem areas, so long as you use it each night in order to achieve desired results.

Dr. Dennis Gross retinol smoothing serum$72

Sephora

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQSkincare