Legal
Terms & conditions
The straightforward version of how we sell, ship and stand behind our work.
1. About this site
This site is operated by Madre Agua, a family collective in Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania. By using it or placing an order you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.
2. What we sell
We make handmade soap and an avocado seed powder. Everything is made in small batches by hand, so quantity is genuinely limited and products may sell out. We may correct errors in pricing or availability at any time, and we will contact you if that affects an order you have already paid for.
3. Orders and payment
Prices are shown in US dollars. Shipping is calculated at checkout. Payment is handled entirely by PayPal, so we never receive or store your card details. An order is accepted once payment clears and we have sent you a confirmation. We may decline or cancel an order if payment fails, if stock has run out, or if we suspect fraud.
4. Shipping
We ship within the United States. Soap is hand-cut and wrapped, so a small amount of cosmetic variation in colour, scent, texture and shape is part of the product and not a fault. Processing takes five to ten business days because each order is prepared by hand. Risk of loss passes to you on delivery to the carrier. We are not liable for parcels delayed or lost once in a carrier's care.
5. Returns
Because our products are handmade and perishable, we cannot resell opened soap. If your order arrives damaged, or was never delivered, contact us within fourteen days of delivery and we will replace it or refund you in full. That covers damaged, faulty and missing items. It does not cover a change of mind on an item you have already opened or used.
6. How to use these products
Our products are cosmetics, not medicines. They are intended for external use on the skin and hair only. Do not swallow them, do not apply them to broken or infected skin, and keep them away from children and animals. Do not use them in or near the eyes, on mucous membranes, or as a treatment for any medical condition.
Patch test before first use. Every skin responds differently. Apply a small amount to an inside forearm or behind the ear and wait twenty-four hours. Stop using the product if redness, itching, burning or swelling develops. Essential oils and botanical ingredients can cause sensitivity in some people even when they are natural.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under medical care for a skin condition, or using prescription topicals, speak to your doctor before using the powder or preparing a balm from it.
7. The powder recipe
Each bottle of powder includes a recipe for mixing it into a topical balm. That recipe is guidance, not medical advice. You decide what to mix it with, and you take responsibility for what you apply. The recipe is not formulated or tested as a treatment for any condition, and following it does not make the result safe for anyone in particular.
8. No medical claims
Nothing on this site or in any product packaging is intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and nothing in it should be read as a promise that any product will prevent, treat, cure or relieve any condition. Statements about how a product feels, smells, or appears on your skin describe a cosmetic result only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for anything relating to your health.
9. Allergies and sensitivities
Full ingredient information is available on request, and it is your responsibility to ask before ordering if you know you react to any ingredient, have a nut or latex allergy, or have sensitive skin. We cannot guarantee a product is entirely free of any substance, because our ingredients are naturally derived and may carry trace allergens.
10. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Madre Agua is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, arising from your use of this site or our products. Our total liability for any claim relating to an order will not exceed the amount you paid for that order. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot legally be limited, including for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation.
11. Intellectual property
All text, photography, illustrations, artwork, the Madre Agua name and logo, and the design of this site belong to Madre Agua or are used with permission. You may not copy, reproduce or republish them commercially without our written consent. This includes the artwork shown on this site being used to advertise or promote other products.
12. Third-party links and payments
This site links to third-party services, including PayPal. We do not control them and we are not responsible for their content, availability or practices. Any payment you make happens on PayPal's own site under their terms, not these.
13. Acceptable use
You may not use this site unlawfully, attempt to gain unauthorised access to it or its systems, scrape it at a rate that degrades it for others, interfere with its operation, or submit content that is fraudulent, defamatory or infringing someone else's rights.
14. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms at any time. The version posted on this page is the version that applies to orders placed on or after the date it was last changed. Material changes affecting existing orders will be notified by email.
15. Severability and governing law
If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the rest stays in force. These terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to conflict of law rules. Nothing in them removes any right you have under mandatory consumer protection law in your state of residence.
16. Contact
Questions about these terms, an order, or an ingredient list: [email protected], or call or voicemail 1 (484) 544-4427. We would rather answer a question directly than have a problem come back.
