If you are like me, and have some skin issues, and you don’t like putting a bunch of chemicals on your face and body – then you definitely will want to consider Moon Valley Organics.
The Origins
After already being a customer for several years, I reached out to the company to inquire about their business. Here’s what the owner, Kim, had to say,
“Moon Valley started in 1999 near the base of Mt Si in Northbend, Wa where Moon Valley is actually a place. We started as organic vegetable farmers and sold at farmers markets and restaurants in the Seattle area before organics was cool. After farming for a few years we found it wasn’t a very lucrative job so we worked other jobs for a couple years.” She goes on to tell me that their love of bees started around this time as well. She bought her husband a beehive for his birthday, and this is where it all began.“Aaron was, and still is, a farmer at heart and I was doing more of the beekeeping so we decided to start a honey/skin care company and Moon Valley Farm was created. Aaron grew the herbs we needed and I grew the bees. We say he’s in charge of everything with roots and I’m in charge of everything with legs,” she goes on to tell me how the business really took off.
“In the beginning we went to farmers markets and gift shows with some honey, a lip balm, a lotion bar and a few soaps. Fast forward to around 2005 and we created our medicinal line of salves with the help of our stepfather who was an MD,ND and DOM. Shortly after that, we changed our name to Moon Valley Organics and started using organic ingredients in all of our products.
The Products
Moon Valley has so many products for so many different respective needs, it’s surprising more people haven’t heard about them. But they’re working on that. At the moment,
you can find their products in several different nationwide stores, including Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, Fresh Thyme, Sprouts and most co-ops.
And the run down of the actual products? They have products for those suffering from eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other ailments. They even have muscle rub to help with tightness and soar muscle pain. And specficially what they offer:5 varieties each of -Foaming Herbal hand soap, bar soaps, body wash, shampoo bars
4 varieties of Lotion Bars
6 varieties of lip balm and salves
3 varieties of honey
And the great news is that they’re never finished with new innovations. Every year they try to come up with new body washes and shampoo bars; and this year, their goal is to come out with a vinegar rinse and hair oil. Sign me up for the latter!
What’s Unique About Them
“We grow most of the herbs we use in our products. Most skin care makers buy ingredients or even pre-made products and just package them or have them made by someone else,” says Kim. Which should add to the trustworthiness and authenticity of their products.
“We carefully choose the most medicinal varieties of herbs and ones that grow well in our climate. Then we grow, harvest and dry them to use in the production of the products. We infuse the herbs in the oil, strain them and add the wax and essential oils depending on the product.”
And since starting their little booth at Pike Place Market 20 years ago, they know a thing or two about what they’re doing, as testament to their success. Here’s a breakdown of how just a few of their items are effective:
Eczacalm- wildly effective for eczema symptoms because of the herbs and oats
Lotion bars – for daily moisturizing whole body (beesewax is super moisturizing)
Beeswax lip balm – no petroleum so it won’t dry out the lips
All soaps – because of their gentle formula it’s good for sensitive skin
Why Visit and Support
Moon Valley Organics is one of those remarkable gems that you find once in a lifetime. I found them by accident while walking through Pike Place Market on a visit, and subsequently have become a life customer. Given that I have seborrheic dermatitis – an inflammatory skin condition – it’s hard to find skin care that actually works, calms my skin and doesn’t actively inflame it. But when Moon Valley Organics stepped in, I was never the same. My skin changed dramatically and for the better.
They are a private business, so now big corporation to go through, and they are locally based. And although they don’t have their own shops outside of a booth at Pike Place Market (yet, anyway), you can still find them in different grocery store chains and of course online. I order all of their products from their website, unless I’m visiting Seattle, and then you better believe I’m popping over to their booth to say hi and pick up some new products!
So the next time you’re at Pike Place Market, drop over to their booth and pick up some organic skincare. Just make sure that when you do, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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