Today's guest is known as The Spa Doctor and she was the first licensed female naturopathic doctor in California. She’s also the author of two literary standbys in the natural health space, especially as it relates to skin care: Natural Beauty Reset and Clean Skin from Within.

It’s an honor to have the esteemed Dr. Trevor Cates on the show today.

After years of struggling with skin problems and imbalanced hormones in her teen years, Dr. Cates decided to pursue a career in natural medicine to educate the masses on the intersection between hormones and healthy skin. This led her to Utah, where she’s applied her refined skills and expertise in renowned hotels like the Waldorf Astoria and the St. Regis.

Specializing in hormone balance and a holistic approach to skincare, she’s built a practice teaching clients and patients how to support healthy skin through research-backed diet, lifestyle, and product choices – an ethos which forms the basis of our hyper-informative conversation today.

We also cover…

00:02:10 — Dr. Trevor’s Path to Natural Medicine

• Dealing with the physical and psychological impact of skin issues as a child
• Changing her college path to focus on natural medicine
• Becoming the Spa Doctor in Utah
• Side effects of antihistamine medications
• Her first experience with a (female) naturopathic doctor
• Importance of getting to the root cause

00:14:46 — How Seasons & Sun Impact Skin Health

• How our skin care needs change with the seasons
• The role the sun plays in our mood, hormones, skin, and sleep
• Sunscreen vs. healthy sun exposure
• Covering hands, face, and neck – even when driving
• Harmful chemical sunscreen ingredients & her zinc-based recommendations

00:27:49 —  Redefining ‘Clean’ and ‘Natural’ Skincare

• Plant oils vs. petroleum-based mineral oils
• Supporting the skin’s natural acidity, barrier oils, and microorganisms
• What to look for (and avoid) in your skincare products

Expiration dates for skin care products & identifying rancid oils

• Standard two-year shelf life on Spa Doctor skin care products
• Essential oils, oxidation, and photosensitization
• Credo Beauty and The Detox Market
• Importance of testing the pH value in skin care product

00:40:30 — Supporting a Healthy Skin Microbiome

• Importance of testing the pH value in skin care product
• The two biggest skin care mistakes
• Most cleansers are stripping your skin
• Switching from high-Ph cleansers to oil-based
• Simplifying your skincare routine
• Exfoliation 101: Finding balance with natural cell turnover

00:49:57 — Clearing Up Acne From the Inside Out

• Hormonal changes and gut microbiome as key influences
• Acne is an inflammatory skin condition
• What to avoid & what to add to your diet to treat acne from within
• Adult acne – what’s happening?
• How our lifestyle impacts our hormones
• Natural Beauty Reset and Clean Skin from...