Products We Love: Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner

Back in the day, I only associated toner with blue astringent; it stung, it made my face red and it smelled like rubbing alcohol mixed with the hope for clear skin – clearly my toner memories were bleak.

Fast forward to my mid-twenties and the realization that toner is not the harsh chemical-laden blue liquid of my past, but rather an integral part of any skincare routine, because all skin is thirsty for hydration and toners feed that thirst. Whether your skin is oily, combination, normal or dry – you need to be using a toner.

One that I recommend is Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. Juara is an East-meets-West Indonesian line of skincare and treatments, which are inspired by the ancient spa experience. The products are 100% vegetarian, paraben-free, phthalates-free, sulfate-free and have not been tested on animals. So, not only are these products great for you, but you can feel great about using them, too.

Put simply, the Juara Tea Hydrating Toner has the ability to make me feel better about my skin immediately by giving it the extra dose of hydration it needs, especially at this time of year. It calms redness and makes my dry skin soft and prepped for moisturizer, or even primer, before my makeup in the morning. The key ingredients are what really make this a necessary part of any skincare routine:

Hyaluronic acid, a protein naturally found in the skin, helps retain the skin’s own moisture. According to Dermatology Times, as we get older, hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases, so products containing this ingredient can be helpful with skin hydration. This ingredient holds 500 times its own weight of water which helps give skin a plumping-effect.

Tamarind, a curved brown bean-pod used in Indonesia for numerous health conditions and in cooking, improves skin smoothness, stimulates the regenerative process and increases hydration.

Green, white and black teas, strongly present in Indonesian culture, have been shown to decrease the risk of free radical damage and stimulate cell and DNA repair.

To use the toner, first cleanse your skin then pump a quarter-sized amount of it into the palms of your hands (that’s right not a cotton ball like back in the blue-astringent days!). In a patting and smoothing motion, spread the toner directly onto your face – the toner has a gel-like quality which is why the cotton ball or applicator is unnecessary. Finish by applying your favorite serum and moisturizer and you can thank us—and Juara— later!

Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner; 4.75 oz., $27