My Morning Elixir for Glowing Skin & Deep Hydration
- Tracy Riccio
- Feb 28
- 6 min read
Hydration is everything—especially after a night of fasting while you sleep. Your skin, joints, and connective tissue thrive on deep, cellular hydration, and starting the morning with the right combination of nutrients sets the tone for the day. Over time, this simple ritual has transformed my skin—not just in how it looks but in how it feels. My clients, and even the professionals I see for skincare, have noticed the change.
The key isn't just the right ingredients--it's using them the right way. In this guide, I'll break down exactly what's in my morning elixir for skin suppleness, hydration, and connective tissue support--plus how to mix it, how much to take, and why it works.
💧 The Base:
✔ 16-18 oz distilled water (this is what everything is mixed into)
Ingredients Added to the Base:
1. Hyaluronic Acid: Bulk Supplements Food-Grade Powder
✔ Add approximately 4oz of your pre-mixed hyaluronic acid solution to your water each morning to get 240 mg--your daily goal for optimal results.
Most people don’t realize that hyaluronic acid isn’t just for skincare—it’s even more powerful when taken internally. As long as you get a food-grade powdered formula, it's easy to mix and incorporate into your routine. Acts like an internal moisture magnet, helping skin hold onto hydration. Supports joint lubrication and elasticity, essential for deep hydration beyond just drinking water.
I first learned about the benefits of hyaluronic acid as a supplement--and the importance of taking 240mg daily--from Dr. Rajani's YouTube video. His breakdown of the science behind it convinced me to make it a key part of my routine.
💦 How I Prepare It For the Week:
Container size: 64 oz glass mason jar
Daily intake: 4 oz per day (added to my morning water)
Target daily dose: 240 mg of hyaluronic acid
How much to mix: 4,000 mg (4 g) of hyaluronic acid powder in 64 oz of water
✨ Why This Works:
Drinking at least 240 mg daily for a month is key to begin noticing results for deep hydration, joint lubrication, and skin elasticity. Now that I’ve been taking it for almost four months, the results are insane—my skin is plumper, more supple, and visibly refreshed.
→ Get it HERE!
2. Dr. Berg's Electrolytes: Clean Hydration Without the Sugar Trap
✔ Add one scoop of electrolytes to your morning water--two if you're really dehydrated.
Many electrolyte powders contain hidden sugars that can sabotage your health. I learned this the hard way. I used to take electrolyte powders without even checking the label, only to later realize they had 15 grams of sugar per serving. That adds up fast, spiking blood sugar, increasing insulin, and making it much harder to lose weight or even maintain it.
That’s why Dr. Berg’s Electrolytes stand apart—they’re completely sugar-free but also free from the questionable additives that are often snuck into "zero sugar" products marketed to diabetics.
🚫 No sugar alcohols – Many "sugar-free" products swap sugar for sugar alcohols, which can cause bloating and digestive issues.
🚫 No maltodextrin – This common filler is actually worse than sugar, ranking higher on the glycemic index and causing even bigger blood sugar spikes.
Why Electrolytes Are Essential
Simply drinking water doesn’t mean you’re hydrating—in fact, drinking too much plain water without minerals can actually dehydrate you by flushing out essential electrolytes. Our modern diet is already lacking in key minerals like potassium, magnesium, and trace minerals, which are critical for energy, hydration, and muscle function.
That’s why I always distill my water first to remove toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and contaminants. Then, I add Dr. Berg’s Electrolytes to restore the minerals my body actually needs. It’s hydration at a cellular level.
→ Get it HERE!
3. Micro Ingredients: Bamboo Silica Extract
✔ Add two scoops (600 mg) of silica extract to your morning water
Silica is naturally present in the body, but like everything else, it declines as we age. If you’re supplementing with collagen, adding silica is one of the most effective ways to supercharge its benefits—because silica is the foundation of collagen formation.
Boosts skin elasticity, helping to create that naturally smooth, lifted look.
Strengthens connective tissues, joints, and bones, making this a true beauty + longevity hack.
Not all silica supplements are created equal. Bamboo is the most potent source of silica, but here’s what most people don’t realize:
🚫 Whole bamboo powder isn’t the same as bamboo silica extract. Many supplements advertise silica content, but if you’re just getting ground bamboo leaf powder, you’re also getting fiber and other nutrients—great for overall health, but there’s no standardized amount of silica per serving.
Why Extracts Matter
If you’re taking silica specifically to support collagen, you need to know exactly how much silica you’re getting. That’s why I use Micro Ingredients Bamboo Silica Extract—it’s concentrated, so you’re getting a reliable dose every time.
I first learned about silica’s role in collagen formation from Dr. Rajani’s YouTube video. His explanation of how it enhances collagen synthesis made me realize this was a supplement worth adding to my routine.
→ Get it HERE!
4. Micro Ingredients: Acerola & Camu Camu (Natural Vitamin C + Antioxidants)
✔ Add one scoop acerola powder and two scoops camu camu powder to your morning water
Most people don’t realize that not all vitamin C is created equal. The synthetic form, ascorbic acid, is just an isolated fraction of the full vitamin C complex found in nature. Whole-food sources, on the other hand, come with cofactors, minerals, and helper molecules that work together for better absorption and effectiveness. Since nature doesn’t isolate nutrients, neither should we.
Taking synthetic vitamin C can actually deplete essential parts of the vitamin C complex, making it less effective overall. This is why the RDA for synthetic vitamins is so much higher—because your body wastes most of it through urine instead of properly absorbing it. Ascorbic acid can also impact mitochondrial efficiency, meaning you’re producing less energy at a cellular level. And beyond absorption, synthetic vitamins often contain additives, flavorings, and preservatives that can have negative effects when taken long-term.
The reason I chose acerola and camu camu, aside from the fact that they are whole-food forms with superior bioavailability, is because they allow me to get a much higher, more effective dose with added antioxidant benefits. Unlike capsules, the powder form provides significantly higher concentration of vitamin C, making it easier to reach an optimal daily intake.
Dr. Berg, one of the most reputable and trusted health experts on YouTube, explains the difference between whole-food and synthetic vitamins--particularly vitamin C--in this video, which is where I first learned about it.
→ Get it Acerola HERE!
→ Get it Camu Camu HERE!
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
✔ Add one to two tablespoons to your morning water
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been a game-changer for my digestion and overall well-being, especially when taken first thing in the morning. A lot of people think acid reflux is caused by too much stomach acid, but it’s actually the opposite—low stomach acid causes the esophageal sphincter to weaken, letting acid creep up. ACV helps balance stomach acidity, preventing reflux and improving digestion. I used to struggle with acid reflux, but since adding ACV to my regimen, it’s no longer an issue.
Beyond gut health, ACV is also great for blood sugar regulation and energy levels. It contains acetic acid, which supports appetite control and insulin sensitivity, making it easier to stay balanced throughout the day. And since gut health is the foundation of everything—from digestion to skin clarity—this small addition to my morning routine has made a big impact.
When choosing an apple cider vinegar, make sure it meets all the right criteria: organic, raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and containing 'the mother.' A common misconception is that you can see 'the mother' in ACV. Many assume that the sediment floating at the bottom of brands like Bragg's is the mother, but that's actually just leftover fermentation particles. The real mother consists of beneficial bacteria and enzymes that aren't always visible but are still present, supporting gut health and digestion.
→ Get it HERE!
The Results: Why I’ll Never Skip This Ritual
After months of consistency, the results have been undeniable. My skin, which once felt depleted, is now hydrated, smooth, and glowing—so much so that I barely feel the need to wear makeup. What’s even more exciting is that this isn’t just about skincare; it’s about overall vitality. Hydrating at a deeper level means better digestion, joint comfort, and long-term anti-aging support. Not to mention how refreshing and thirst-quenching it is!
If you’re looking for a simple, effective way to upgrade your skin and hydration from the inside out, this is it.
Ready to Glow?
I'll be sharing more of my favorite wellness rituals over on Instagram (@tracy.theglowup)!
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