Moon River: Healthy Skin Products from Rochester, Michigan

In an effort to provide you resources, I highlight some local Southeast Michigan resources in the areas of health, food, green living, and more.  Even if you are not located in Michigan, it is my hope that these resources might assist you with your research for living a more healthy and natural lifestyle!
~Teresa

Company:  Moon River Soap Company

Located in Rochester, Michigan, Moon River Soap Company offers safe, gentle, natural soaps and skincare.  

Moon River is a family business.  When you visit the store, you’re bound to see one of the owners – Carlos or Elizabeth Aprea.  Their daughter Sandra helps with the research and development.

Their grandson was actually one of the reasons why they started Moon River Soap. In addition to headaches that Elizabeth used to get from synthetic fragrances, their grandson used to get raw cheeks from his skincare.  In order to have more natural skincare, Moon River Soap was founded.

We spoke to Elizabeth Aprea.

LNT:  How long have you been in business?

MOON RIVER:  5 Years – We were originally located in New Baltimore.  In need of a larger building, we moved to Rochester 1 year ago.

LNT:  What type of products do you sell?

MOON RIVER:  Omega rich olive oil soap, antioxidant lotions, Dead Sea bath salts, unrefined shea butter, shower items, skin care items, beeswax lip balms, and face and eye emollients to name a few!

LNT:  What are some of your specialty items?

MOON RIVER:  Moon Dog Gentle Shampoo Bar for sensitive dog skin; bug spray; custom favors for wedding and baby showers; Moon Baby product line which is gentle on the skin; and local soaps using wine from Fieldstone Winery, beer from the Rochester Mills Beer Co, and honey from the Farmer’s Market.

LNT:  Since it’s that time of the year, tell me more about your bug spray.

MOON RIVER:  Our bug spray is called Buzz-B-Gone. It’s non-toxic and does not contain the chemical Deet. We use lemon eucalyptus essential oil. Studies have shown that lemon eucalyptus is effective in protecting from insect bites.

LNT:  What type of ingredients do you use in your products?

MOON RIVER:  Some of the ingredients we use are olive oil, 100% pure essential oils, botanicals, organic palm, and special ingredients in our specialty soaps like Michigan pure Maple Syrup in our Michigan Maple soap.

We never use parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, or synthetic fragrance.  If a soap has a strong sent after 1 year, it’s usually synthetic.

LNT:  Do you make all of your products on-site?

MOON RIVER:  Yes.

LNT:  Can people watch the soap being made?

MOON RIVER:  Yes. We offer viewing on Saturday’s at 10am. If there is a group who would like to watch throughout the week, feel free to contact us.

LNT: I noticed your products are currently being offered at the new Whole Foods in Detroit. Are there other stores which also sell your products?

MOON RIVER:  We have a booth at the Rochester Farmer’s Market. We are also in the following:  Market Fresh, Beverly Hills; Market Square, Birmingham; Michigan Artisans, Detroit; Organic Food & Vitamin Center, Ferndale; Nutri Foods, Royal Oak; Fieldstone Winery, Rochester.  We keep our website updated with the stores in which we are located, so be sure to check it out!

LNT:  If you are not from Michigan, how else can people buy your products?

MOON RIVER:  Our products can be ordered online directly through our website.

LNT:  What is a favorite flavor and product?

MOON RIVER:  I enjoy the rosemary lemongrass goat milk soap and the eye emollient – Glow.

For more information about Moon River Soap, please visit their website at www.moonriversoap.com.