You’ve seen the olive oil shots all over your feed. Oil, lemon, knock it back, done. And there’s real something to them. But most of them stop just short of what actually makes the shot work for your skin, your energy, and your hormones.
If you’ve tried it and wondered whether it was doing anything, I want you to hear this first: the shot itself is a good habit, it’s just usually missing a few small, intentional pieces. Add those, and it goes from a trend you saw once to a morning ritual that earns its place.
I did this daily for a month, alongside good sleep and steady hydration, and the difference in my skin, my nails, and my energy was the real deal. Here’s how I make mine, and why every ingredient is there.
Why olive oil, first thing in the morning
Good extra virgin olive oil is one of the most polyphenol-rich foods you can reach for. Polyphenols are antioxidants that help your body handle everyday oxidative stress, and olive oil’s healthy monounsaturated fat also acts as a carrier, helping your body absorb the fat-soluble nutrients you take with it.
Taking it first thing on an empty stomach gives those polyphenols the clearest runway, since there’s nothing competing with them for absorption. That’s the quiet reason the timing matters, not just the shot itself.
And that peppery, almost cough-inducing catch at the back of your throat? That’s a compound called oleocanthal, and it’s a natural marker of a fresh, high-quality oil. The little cough is a good sign.
The small additions that make it work
Here’s where my Glow Shot is different from the oil-and-lemon version you’ve seen. Three small moves, each doing a real job.
Fresh lemon brings vitamin C, which supports your body’s own collagen production, exactly what your skin is asking for as estrogen declines in perimenopause.
A pinch of black pepper is the piece almost everyone skips, and it’s the clever one. Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that supports absorption in three specific ways: it temporarily slows the gut and liver enzymes that would otherwise break down beneficial compounds before they reach your bloodstream, it gently and reversibly increases the permeability of your intestinal lining so more gets absorbed, and it slightly slows digestion so there’s a longer window for uptake. A tiny pinch is all you need.
A scoop of collagen is optional but worth it. As estrogen dips, your natural collagen production slows, and it shows up in your skin, hair and nails. A daily scoop is a simple way to support all three.
A pinch of Celtic sea salt does more than season it. Unlike stripped-down table salt, Celtic sea salt is unrefined and carries trace minerals like magnesium and potassium, which support hydration and electrolyte balance, especially helpful first thing in the morning. A tiny pinch is plenty (skip or go easy if your blood pressure runs high).
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The Glow Shot Recipe
Equipment
- 1 f
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil a good peppery one
- 1/2 large lemon juiced
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pinch Celtic sea salt
- 1 scoop collagen optional
- 1 splash water to loosen optional
Instructions
Three ways to make it:
- Shake it: add everything to a small jar with a lid and shake hard for 15 seconds. Easiest, no cleanup.
- Blend it: blend a few seconds for the creamiest, most emulsified texture (best if you're adding collagen).
- Froth it: a handheld milk frother whips it together in seconds for a light, foamy finish.
- Take it first thing in the morning, before food.
My olive oil (and why quality matters here)
The shot is only as good as the oil, because that’s where the polyphenols live. A cheap, flat oil won’t give you the peppery oleocanthal kick or the antioxidant load. I use Nelson Olive Oil for its high polyphenol content and fresh, peppery finish. You can grab it here: [NELSON OLIVE OIL LINK] and use my code [REJOICE-10] for a discount.
Quality matters for your black pepper too, since fresher pepper means more of that absorption-supporting piperine. I get mine from OM Foods: [OM FOODS LINK] with my discount code [REJOICE].
My favourite collagens (with a discount)
Collagen is optional in the shot, but if you add it, quality matters. I’ve pulled together my personal FIVE FAV go-to collagens inside my professional dispensary, so you can see exactly what I use and trust. Add your name and email to get access to my picks, along with a discount and a FREE Collagen 101 Handout
[ BUTTON: Access My Collagen Picks + Discount ]
Look for a grass-fed, unflavoured collagen peptide that dissolves cleanly, so it disappears into your shot without changing the taste.
A quick, honest note
This shot isn’t a magic potion, and it won’t detox anything. What it is, is a simple, consistent habit that supports your skin, your digestion, and your body with real, quality nutrients. The magic is in the consistency, and in using ingredients your body can actually put to work.
One important note: because piperine from black pepper can affect how your body processes certain medications, if you take prescription medication, especially blood thinners, please check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding a daily concentrated pinch. This article is for education, not medical advice.
References
Effects of black pepper (piperine) on the intestinal absorption and hepatic metabolism of drugs. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 2011. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/17425255.2011.570332
Metabolic Insights into Drug Absorption: Piperine’s Bioenhancing Potential. Pharmaceutical Research (Springer), 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11095-025-03920-5
Piperine: A possible permeation enhancer for oral delivery. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. https://japsonline.com/abstract.php?article_id=4165
Oral Bioavailability and Metabolism of Hydroxytyrosol from Food Supplements. NCBI/PMC, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9866489/
Hydroxytyrosol Bioavailability: Influencing Factors and Optimization Strategies. NCBI/PMC, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12473018/