FAQ

All topics

• How can I pay for my purchase at MADARA online store?

  MÁDARA currently accepts payments made with VISA, VISA ELECTROM and MASTERCARD as well as using one of the most popular e-payment systems in the world "Paypal".

• What to do, if my payment is not accepted?

  If a payment has been declined due to unknown reasons, MÁDARA suggests trying another payment method, however, if such is unavailable, please contact us using the email in the help section on the top of the page.

  MÁDARA reminds that a payment may be declined in case:

  • you have entered incorrect payment information
  • there are not enough funds on the chosen account to make the payment
• How can I cancel my order and receive my money back?

  You can read about all canceling and returning options in section returning a product. If an order has been canceled MÁDARA returns the money paid within 3 working days after the confirmation of money return, however, in some cases it can take up to 30 days.

• Where are MADARA products manufactured?

  MADARA cosmetics production unit is located at 2 Šampētera Street, Riga.

• Can MADARA products be used also on mature skin, after the age of 40?

  Yes, they can. Natural cosmetics are like food – each organism/skin type will absorb what is most necessary for it. Young skin will “take up” less and mature skin will consume more of the active ingredients – vitamins, mineral substances, etc. Natural cosmetics will not provide an immediate wrinkle-smoothing or skin-lifting effect but it will have a deeper and more permanent impact in the long run.

• What is the expiry date for MADARA cosmetic products?

  All MADARA products have 2 years before expiry date from manufacturing.

• Can MADARA cellulite and stretch mark treatment products be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

  Yes, products for treating cellulite and stretch marks are especially suitable during this period. The anti-cellulite cream will make your skin more flexible, strengthen blood vessels, and stimulate lymphatic drainage from legs. Anti-cellulite cream should be applied on the affected areas.
  
  It is recommended to start using the firming oil already in the first weeks of pregnancy in order to help your skin become more flexible and prevent stretch marks. The oil can be used on all areas of the body. Special attention should be paid to the zones where stretch marks are apt to develop – hips, thighs, stomach, and breasts.

• Do MADARA products protect from sun and other types of everyday radiation?

  MADARA moisturizing day products (deep moisture cream, fluid, gel) contain Titanic oxide (a white mineral pigment) which has sun filtering properties. Thus MADARA products provide some protection from the sun, 2-4 SPF to be exact. This information is not given on the packaging since following the new regulations of the EU for labeling sunscreen products, the minimum SPF to be specified on the packaging is 6.

• What's behind the name, "MADARA"?

  The word, "madara" (wild madder, or Galium mollugo) is associated with the most fragile, delicate, and aromatic flower in Latvia's fields. Just like a woman, it needs support and protection in order to be able to maintain her femininity and ability to love and care. Madara is just as enigmatic and changing as a woman. The structure of this plant symbolises philosophical completeness and the endlessness of beauty in nature. The blossoms of Lady's bedstraw are like a fractal: a structure with scale symmetry, where the smallest leaves are arranged in the same way as the stems, and the stems, as the plant. Fractals can often be found elsewhere in nature: the coast line, in clouds, as well as the circulatory system of the human body.

• For what age group are MADARA products created?

  MADARA cosmetics are meant for women from all walks of life, who are seeking openheartedness, meaning, perfection, and pleasure. For women who are tired of society's high standards for perfect figures, perfect make-up, and the perfect hairdo when getting out of bed in the morning. We are real women, with real family and work lives, and real responsibilities. We are realistic in our demands of ourselves. For women who are tired of marketing advertisements' unreal promises about eternal youth and magic tricks; for those who understand that under all of that hides just a temporary effect.

  Every woman wishes to become more attractive, because a woman's mission is to be beautiful. With her beauty, she creates love, respect, success, and happiness all around her. MADARA doesn't promise effects that can be likened to laser surgery, but does promise to be a friendly ally and will help to care for your beauty, well-being, and harmony.

• How are MADARA products preserved?

  We're often asked, "But how do you preserve your products? If you don't use chemical preservatives, don't your products spoil quickly?"

  Nature contains many different kinds of preserving substances. Many plant substances themselves contain antioxidants (for example, vitamin E) or antibacterial substances that help a product retain its freshness. An especially good preservative is natural alcohol, which is added in small amounts to keep our products from spoiling.

  The second factor is packaging. How many of you have used creams in pots with screw-top lids? Twice a day we put our fingers in these pots, but our hands are coated with thousands of bacteria! In spite of this, the cream is good for three years? The question arises - what in the cream can still be natural, if its expiration date is so far away.

  MADARA creams come in vacuum packaging. First of all, it's impossible to contaminate the cream with bacteria from one's hands. Secondly, the vacuum packaging ensures that, with each pump, the double bottom is raised, ensuring the complete isolation of the product from air. If there's no air, bacteria cannot multiply.

  Other MADARA products that don't require such strict isolation from air (for example, liquid soaps and tonics) are packaged in matte, white or opaque flacons, in order to protect the products from the negative effects of light and UV rays.

  The expiration date of MADARA products is 24 months, or two years from their date of manufacture.

• How are the products tested?

  A panel of consumers participates in the creation of a product's recipe and its evaluation. The panel consists of people with various skin types, including sensitive and allergy-prone individuals. The panel provides their subjective evaluation of the product and their skin's reaction after testing a sample. Their opinions are taken into account when refining and finalising recipes.

  After a product is created, it is tested in a laboratory by measuring various physical and chemical properties, determining stability and the expiration date, as well as studying and defining standards for storage. In accordance with law, the product is tested by a qualified chemist to make certain that it complies with safety and consistency tests. Then the product is sent for the approval of a dermatologist. Individuals of various ages and skin types use the product under the surveillance of a certified dermatologist, and report their reactions. The product is tested to make certain that it does not cause allergic reactions or irritation. Dermatologist tests have shown MADARA products to be hypoallergenic and irritation-free.

• Isn't coffee extract (in Contouring cream) bad for the skin? Doctors recommend not drinking too much coffee.

  Coffee is a powerful stimulant. That's the reason we drink it: in order to heighten our activity. Coffee contains a lot of caffeine, which gives it stimulating properties. Doctors are convinced that using too much coffee internally makes the body grow accustomed to a regular amount of stimulants, and this disrupts equilibrium. However, coated on the skin, coffee extract has an effect locally: stimulating skin cells and microcirculation in the skin. This stimulation tones the skin and fights the signs of cellulite. Yet coating the skin with cream containing coffee extract does not heighten blood pressure. Coffee extract is an active ingredient in MADARA's Contouring cream, and caffeine (one of the substances in coffee) can be found in MADARA's Anti-cellulite cream.

• The preservatives that are being used to give MADARA shelf life, are these natural?

  In MADARA cosmetic products plant alcohol is used in small concentrations as the preservative. This is a natural plant alcohol, made from grain.

• Because of the nature of beauty products (for e.g. foaming shampoos need a foaming agent, which often can only be created synthetically), can organic beauty products ever be 100% organic?

  All skin care products contain items from the following categories in some combination or other: emollients (to prevent dryness and protect the skin, acting as barrier and healing agent), humectants, emulsifiers, preservatives, and surfactants (surf-active-agents or foaming agents). These components could be synthetic or natural. In certified organic cosmetics you can find only natural components. All ingredients used in our products meet the ECOCERT requirements and derived either from plants or from inorganic. For example, in the MADARA range we use sucrose cocoate, a gentle cleansing agent extracted from plants, and fragrances made from essential oils.

• What's special & unique about Madara that makes it stand out from the other organic/holistic beauty brands in the market?

  The very heart of MADARA products - the active ingredients - is flowers and herbs from the Baltic meadows and forests. The natural environment in the Baltic region is unique because the northern summers are much shorter, leaving flowers with a much shorter time to attract bees for pollination. Plants are compelled to concentrate their blossoming vigour in this short blossoming time. As a result, at the time of harvest they are rich with the active ingredients required to survive in bitter climates.

• Is Madara a certified organic beauty brand?

  MADARA produces ECOCERT® certified organic cosmetics. ECOCERT® is the leading European authority on organic certification, and the standards used by prestige organic brands. By means of the ECOLOGICAL AND ORGANIC COSMETICS standards, Ecocert defines a requirement level that is superior to the conventional regulation governing cosmetics, thereby guaranteeing the genuine practice of environmental respect throughout the production line, respect for the consumer and the promotion of natural substances of a superior ecological quality.

• Are MADARA products also suitable for men?

  MADARA products are also suitable and being used by men. Especially popular amongst male users are the following products:

  • Mint shower soap with a refreshing mint flavor. Shower soap is a great start for an active day. Comes in a handy packing with a sealable pump, so the shower soap wouldn't spill when taken to a gym.
  • Deep clarifying foam men are willingly using as a shaving foam, praising the handy bottle that itself creates a rich foam. A Japanese beauty blog listed MADARA's foam as the best natural shaving product for men!
  • Deep cleansing or balance toner is used by men as an aftershave. Deep cleansing toner is more suitable for oily skin or skin, which tends to become irritated after shaving as this product contains active antibacterial plant extracts. Balance toner is suitable for normal / combined skin.
  • Men are also very fond of MADARA moisturizing facials, especially Deep moisturizing gel (totally oil free!) for combined / oily skin and Deep moisturizing fluid for normal / combined skin. Regenerating night cream is a popular product for evening use as it helps protect the skin from wrinkles.

  Men have positively rated MADARA's convenient packaging - bottles with dispenser and ones which can be easily opened and closed. This is important both for everyday use and travel. Furthermore, the flavor of all MADARA products is natural and neutral which men consider as a significant plus, because they're unwilling to use products with a distinctly feminine fragrance.

• Does MADARA use SCCO2 for extraction?

  MADARA uses organic plant extracts that are manufactured using natural and certified organic plant solvents (like oil, glycerine).

  Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction process uses liquid carbon dioxide at a special temperature and special pressure (31oC, 72.9 atm/7.39 MPa). Supercritical CO2 is used in several industries, for instance in manufacture of household appliances. Coffee industry is reaserching SCCO2 to use it as a decoffeining (removing coffeine) solvent instead of other solvents that have controversial reviews.

  SCCO2 extraction sometimes is used by cosmetic manufacturers to extract active organic components. SCCO2 method allows to produce extract of oil and water soluble substances without high content of solvents. However, SCCO2 extraction has several drawbacks.

  1. SCCO2 extraction is performed under pressure which creates high-risk working environment and is high in energy consumption. This results in high production costs.

  2. SCCO2 is not able to extract inorganic active ingredients (e.g. minerals) that are important for holistic skincare. All plants but especially such plants as algae (seaweed), horsetail contain large amounts of minerals, therefore SCCO2 method would provide a insufficient extraction.

  The same quality and effectiveness of cosmetic product can be achieved by adding extracts that are manufactured with natural solvents like organic glycerin, natural alcohol, purified water and organic plant oil. Moreover most of cosmetic formulations contain these substances in the product base, therefore there is no need to avoid them in the extract. Third, SCCO2 extracts cost 10-50 times more than same quality extracts that are produced with traditional solvents, it creates unjustifiable increase of product price.

• How can I place an order at MADARA online store?

  MADARA products in the store are arranged in separate sections according to their application. Each section of products contains both individual products and kits of products according to the application. Both the list of products and the opened product page contains a “BUY” button, which adds the selected product to your shopping basket. After adding a product to the basket you will be offered to either continue shopping or open the shopping basket to pay for the selected products.

• Can I purchase MADARA products without registering?

  Yes. Any visitor of MADARA online store can view and select products and you do not have to be registered to pay for your order.

• How long does it take until I get my MADARA products after the order has been paid?

  All orders are delivered within one working day of receiving the payment. Delivery date may be prolonged upon prior notice in case of force majeure.

• What are MADARA special offers?

  Special offers at MADARA online store are offers to purchase one or several MADARA products cheaper or with other benefits ordering them with a home delivery.

• What kind of special offers does MADARA online store have?

  You can find new special offers at MADARA online store every month. Special offers are diverse and may include both a particular discount for one product and discounts for a whole group of products. We also have special offers, where you receive a gift for purchasing particular products or purchasing products for a certain amount of money.

• Who are MADARA experts?

  MADARA experts are people with serious experience and knowledge in one or several fields of the cosmetics industry.

• What can I find in MADARA experts section?

  With time we intend to offer more and more useful information on cosmetic, its production, usage and development. Every month we create new informative articles and always invite new people with experience and knowledge in the field of cosmetics to share their knowledge with visitors of MADARA page.

• Can visitors obtain information on questions about cosmetics not discussed in this section?

  At the moment we are not able to answer all of your questions individually, unless they are linked with placing orders or using MADARA products, but we will be happy to receive your suggestions for topics you would like to learn more about. Send the topics and questions you are interested in to email madara@madara-cosmetics.lv. We will summarize the topics sent in by you and others at the end of each month and prepare informative articles on the most popular topics.

• What is ECOCERT?

  It is a volunteer standard that certifies cosmetic products confirming their natural origin. ECOCERT works in more than 80 countries, performing regular certification and inspection of ecoproducts. The products subjected to certification must contain at least 95% of ingredients with natural origin. The remaining 5% of ingredients are strictly regulated and stand for minerals, organic acids and other substances. These substances are identical to those in the nature, but are produced artificially. At least 95% of plant ingredients (for instance, plant extracts, oils) must be organically certified.

• What are the criteria for ECOCERT certified products?

  The products subjected to certification must contain at least 95% of ingredients with natural origin. The remaining 5% of ingredients are strictly regulated and stand for minerals, organic acids and other substances. These substances are identical to those in the nature, but are produced artificially. At least 95% of plant ingredients (for instance, plant extracts, oils) must be organically certified. ECOCERT prohibits the use of synthetic perfumes, synthetic preservatives like parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and other synthetic ingredients. Packaging must be recyclable.

• How can I recognize an ECOCERT certified product?

  A certified product has an ECOCERT symbol clearly placed on the packaging, which allows consumers to recognize a truly natural product among others.

• Are MÁDARA products vegan?

   

  MÁDARA lip care products (regenerating lip balm, softening lip balm, moonkissed and sunkissed tinting lipglosses) contain lanolin and beeswax. Creamy baby oil also contains beeswax. All other MÁDARA products are vegan.

   

  Even though we use animal based ingredients in these products, there is an important diference between the lanolin and beeswax that we use and the ones that are used by other cosmetic producers that do not have certified natural and organic labels.

   

  Since we are ECOCERT certified, we use only lanolin and beeswax that is produced in a strictly regulated way (controlled by ECOCERT). This means that the sheep farming and beeskeeping as well as the way the ingredients are obtained is strictly monitored - all this is to ensure that animals are not harmed in any way. You can find a detailed description of ECOCERT Standard and its certification procedures HERE (see under point 3).

• Are MÁDARA products tested on animals?

   

  No, MÁDARA products are not tested on animals.

   

  Also, none of our ingredient suppliers test their products on animals.

   

  We are currently in the process of acquiring the Humane Cosmetics Standard which is also known as the "Leaping Bunny Standard" (www.gocrueltyfree.org).

• How can I get free MÁDARA product samples?

   

  At MÁDARA online shop you can order 3 samples for free together with your purchase.

   

  However, it is not possible to order samples alone.

   

  We would suggest you visiting one of the shops in your country, where you can buy MÁDARA products (the list of shops can be found HERE, and ask shop assistants for free samples, they should be having some! If you are interested, you can ask for a brochure too!