Read Mumsnet users reviews on Balneum scalp and skin care products

[EllieMumsnet]

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This is the feedback thread for the 250 MNers who tested both the Balneum dry skin and itch relief Cream (click here for further information) and their dry and itchy scalp shampoo (click here for further information).

Here’s what Balneum have to say: “At Balneum, we understand that an itch is never just an itch. Irritated skin can get in the way of everyday life, causing frustrations and ongoing itch-scratch cycles. It’s our mission to help you itch less and live more. Whether that’s spending more time with your loved ones, smashing your exercise routine, or enjoying a more social lifestyle, we’re here to help. We don’t just care for you, we care for your skin and scalp too.”

Testers please answer the following questions:

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?
• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?
• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?
• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

All testers who leave the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

The cream is great, it has really soothed the itchiness and moisturised well. The psoriasis on My legs has cleared a little! The only downside to the cream is the funky smell, however it didn't put me off as it works so well.

The shampoo was also good, no real complaints about it. It took care of the flakes in my scalp and left my hair feeling soft and shiny. Even better it had NO horrid medicated smell to it!

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

Reasonably. The cream doesn't feel as rich as I had hoped but it does moisturise well although not enough to resolve the stubborn psoriasis on my elbows. Typically I haven't had any episodes of itchy skin since it arrived though. The shampoo didn't make my hair feel as soft and shiny as usual (I haven't changed my conditioner) and my scalp psoriasis hasn't eased at all.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

Cream is quick to absorb. Shampoo isn't strong smelling. Neither feel overly medical.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

No

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Possibly the cream as it was soothing but the shampoo didn't have any tangible results for me.

Also, I wasn't keen on all the nasty chemicals in the cream. I prefer to use natural products where I can and the eczema/psoriasis cream I get from a local natural skincare company is both cheaper and more effective for me.

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo? and
What did you like about the cream and shampoo?
I was ambivalent about the cream - lovely silky texture, unoffensive smell, and initially moisturised well. It took the initial itch away very effectively, but the moisture element didn't have much staying power; later in the day my skin sometimes looked dry again. I also didn't love the pump mechanism as I always feel like there's a lot of wastage with this format because you can never totally empty the bottle.
I really liked the shampoo. It had a nice texture, didn't really smell of anything, and lathered well, which previous medicated shampoos haven't IME. I'd happily buy the shampoo again.

Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?
I noticed a definite improvement in my scalp, which is far less itchy. I think my skin is more or less the same. I used it on areas where I have eczema, on areas where I have quite dry skin, and on areas where the skin is "normal", and I can't say there's been a real change to any of them.

Would you recommend the product(s) to others?
Based on my experience of these, I'd definitely recommend the shampoo. I'd tried a variety of prescription and OTC shampoos and this one worked as well as or better than any of them. I wouldn't actively recommend the cream, but if someone wanted to give it a try I wouldn't dissuade them either. It was fine, not amazing. Others on the thread have had better results with it so it's potentially still worth a try.

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?
The shampoo was excellent for both my scalp and my three year old who has eczema. The cream was okay for me, but it irritated my son slightly.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

Shampoo: moisturising and good for my hair generally. Good for the whole family. Cream: lovely texture:

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

The shampoo definitely has. The cream hasn’t for my son, but has for me.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Yes, I would. When you suffer with eczema you will try anything and I would recommend particularly the shampoo.

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I’ve been using the cream and have used the shampoo a few times, I find the cream helps initially but the itch returns for me within the hour. I don’t find it particularly moisturising.

I get an itch scalp at certain times during the month and i’ve Used the shampoo at there times and it’s stopped the itching immediately it also left my fine hair feeling soft and not at all flyaway so I’m really impressed with it.

What did your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

She liked the fact that it worked! Wonderful stuff..

Did it improve you or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

My Daughter used the shampoo and as she has had a patch of cradle cap since she was a baby -she’s now 10- and we’d tried many products to stop the itching and flaking I wasn’t expecting much. However the patch totally disappeared after three washes and the itching has gone with it. She has very long incredibly thick hair and we usually use loads of conditioner on the bottom lengths just to be able to comb it, but the comb slid through after using the shampoo. She’s very happy not to be itching and not to have the flaking either.

Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

I’ve already recommended the shampoo to another family member and they have purchased some themselves and are really pleased with the results.

I’ve not recommended the cream though as I found that it didn’t really do the trick unfortunately.

Thank you for the opportunity to try these products, we’re total converts to the shampoo now and will purchase regularly.

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I liked the cream. I liked the dispenser botttle and the smell of it. I am afraid that I didn’t get on with the shampoo at all. It seemed to exasperate my skin issues and left my hair full and greasy.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

I liked that the shampoo wasn’t fragranced. The cream absorbed well and I actually like the smell.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

The shampoo didn’t work for me. The lotion left my skin smooth.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

I would recommend the cream. I feel neutral about the shampoo as although it didn’t work for me, I liked the fragrance and that a little went a long way

Overall we are pleased with the results from the cream, it’s worked amazingly for my son aged 12 who has had a sore itchy eye lid for months, we have tried a few prescription creams from gp including steroid cream for eczema and double base and tried aveeno..nothing was working but he’s been using the balneum and his skin is almost healed, the red soreness has gone, the skin is pretty much clear. We’re so pleased as it was starting to spread to his other eye and around his nose. Highly recommend, it also cleared a small dry skin patch on my 4 year old’s back with only 3 applications! The shampoo has also worked on my son who has been suffering from dry flaky scalp, he really likes the shampoo, it’s worked well and he is flake free now, he also likes that only a small amount of shampoo comes out of the cap so thinks it will last ages. It didnt help with my own scalp after using for one week but I have very long thick hair and use a lot of shampoo so it wasn’t suitable for me personally..but son highly rates it and also he was using previously capsal from gp which smells awful and did nothing to help. Value for money wise both products are around the same price point of other products that I have purchased to try to help so I would buy them at the price and it’s great knowing they actually will work. I will recommend both products to our friends and family after the successful trial we have had. And will be purchasing more balneum products in the future.

I'm normally very reluctant to try new products as my skin is extremely sensitive and I was dubious as to whether it would work.
I was very pleased with the dry skin and itch cream. I have really dry skin and it worked well. My hands are a mess with my eczema at the moment but it has helped a lot. It certainly helped with the itch.
My son used the shampoo and he reports that it has helped his itchy scalp although I notice it hasn't cleared the flakes up. His hair looks better when he used T Gel though. So perhaps not as effective.
I would definitely buy the cream again. In fact I've been trying to get some as my sample has nearly run out.
Not sure if I'd buy the shampoo though.
I would definitely recommend the cream.
Thank you for the samples.

I was looking forward to receiving the cream and shampoo for my partner to try for his seborrheic dermatitis (adult cradle cap). It drives him mad with the itching and flaking, and appears to have got worse over his scalp and eyebrows since he grew a beard and moustache, more facial hair seems to exasperate it and no treatments have worked longer than a few days yet.

I had really high hopes especially for the shampoo, however it hasn't really seemed to have much of an effect over the last few weeks the cream was a bit heavy and greasy for his face and he said it was okay at relieving the itching. Perhaps there needs to be a lighter facial version?

My mum however has quite liked both products, she has extremely bad psoriasis all over her scalp and body and has been using Exorex until now in the shower for relief, and then a Vaseline lotion after to keep the psoriasis patches a bit more supple. She has said that the Balneum lotion has given really good relief for the patches especially on her back, so she has had a better experience with it. The price is quite good for this sort of targeted product, however my mum did say that the lotion smelled slightly which is the reason she normally tries to avoid this kind of lotion for her condition. Overall she would pay the price for it to use at night.

Thank you for letting us try these products out MN, and hoping others had a bit more success with them!

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I applied to review the products for my partner who overall wasn't massively impressed, however my mum who also has a skin condition quite liked the lotion.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

My partner thought the cream was better than the shampoo which didn't seem to work for him, the lotion worked better on his face but he found it heavy. My mum found it worked well for a problem spot on her back and kept her psoriasis patches a bit more supple.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

The lotion improved my partners face (eyebrows, tash, beard) for a few hours. It helped to soften up my mums psoriasis patches quite nicely but she did report that it has a bit of a smell which is why she normally avoids these types of lotions.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

My partner wasn't so sure but my mum said she probably would recommend the lotion.

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

The shampoo didn't lather up as easily as the shampoo my partner usually uses but it did have a pleasant texture and didn't have a strong, medicated fragrance like similar products he's tried on the itchy, red area on his scalp. It didn't leave the scalp feeling particularly soothed but there was a slight reduction in the itchiness for a few hours after use. We were a little more impressed with the cream. The texture is much lighter than I was expecting and it was quickly and easily absorbed into his scalp. He felt it soothing and it reduced the itching for a few hours but there was no visible difference to the redness or the size of area affected.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

He liked that the shampoo didn't smell medicated and that it had a pleasant texture. With the cream, he liked that it wasn't a heavy , greasy formula, and that it was quickly absorbed, not leaving marks on the pillow. He felt it quite soothing on his skin and it gave him some relief from itching during the night.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

Unfortunately, in my partner's case it didn't. The patch on his scalp that is affected hasn't decreased in size or redness. He did get some relief from itching for a few hours, and didn't scratch so much during the night which is good because he was driving me insane, and he is continuing to use the cream and the shampoo until they're finished in the hope that prolonged use may have an impact.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

While these Balneum products haven't improved my partner's issue greatly, the main claim is to reduce itching and they did that to a certain extent. Not being woken so many times during the night is beneficial for both of us! I would certainly suggest people with itchy patches on their skin give them a try to see if they work for them as it was only when the products arrived that I remembered it was Balneum emollient we turned to when my son had terrible excema all over his body and scalp as a baby and toddler, and it really did work well, stopping him itching and the excema cleared completely, although it did take time.

I have suffered from an itchy and flaky scalp for years and have never found a shampoo to help. The shampoo has taken the itch out of my scalp completely and there are only a few flakes left, which are only really noticeable to me. My scalp isn't as oily as before so I'm able to go for longer between washes too.

The real star is the moisturiser. It's incredible. The skin on my legs are so dry that they look scaled. The cream has really helped with the appearance of my legs and they actually feel moisturised rather than just having a lotion sitting on top.

I'd absolutely recommend to others and I have done. Thanks for the opportunity to test the products!

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?
I liked the cream. Didn't notice a funny smell as mentioned by other people. Definitely noticed a reduction in itchiness. Mine is just dry skin rather than eczema, but it definitely helped soothe it.

I temporarily misplaced the shampoo and haven't found it yet...

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

I found it worked quite quickly to relieve any symptoms.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

My skin doesn't seem to get as itchy as quickly, which is a definite bonus for me!

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

I would recommend the cream, but I think it will depend on what the problem is. Smaller sample bottles at a discounted price would be a good idea, so people can try it first.

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

Very satisfied with both, overall. I noticed a difference for myself, dh and dcs.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

The cream wasn't greasy at all, was just right. Went into my skin really well and I felt hydrated and far less itchy. The shampoo was enjoyed by my husband and he felt an improvement in itchiness.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

Yes it did!

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

I would, but the price is a little off putting.

The shampoo is ok, probably not as drying as similar products
The cream is quite good and sinking in really well not sure it's as effective as steroid based creams but gentler on the skin
Over all I prefer the cream to the Shampoo
It's been a good opportunity to try something different
It will be interesting to find out the cost

I take take my rather negative review, the creams been quite good for my sunburn this week.

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I was very satisfied. The cream especially has helped with the dry skin on my face and the scaly-ness on my legs.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

The cream was thick enough to provide a good barrier. I find that for dry skin, slightly thicker cream works best. It wasn't too oily and I can add it to my foundation too to prevent dry patches throughout the day, without making my face look shiny. The shampoo cleaned my hair well, without stripping it, didn't leave my scalp dry at all and it is not heavily perfumed which I think definitely helps.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

The cream and shampoo have both definitely helped. The cream especially has helped in that the dry patches have reduced a lot since starting this cream. I haven't used balneum since I was a child but I will definitely be buying this in the future.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Definitely.

Thought I had previously posted but seemingly not! Apologies. Used the cream to start off with, and was pleased with initial results, thick cream without cloying, and easy to rub in. Smells fine too. Visible positive effects from day one. Kept on using it and my hands, arms and legs are looking better. Certainly there is a really good difference on my hands as I have noticeable psoriasis there. The shampoo is OK.... Not hugely different, certainly no bad effects, but not massively impressed. Would definitely buy the cream in the future, and thank you for the samples!

Sorry,didn't realise we were at the deadline!

Overall, really positive results

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

Very. Cream went on well and absorbed easily. It didn't smell offensive, which is a big issue for my daughter.

The shampoo was brilliant! Clear results from day one.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

Cream - easily absorbed, went on smoothly and wasn't sticky. No medicated smell.

Shampoo - excellent results from the start. My daughter' every flaky scalp has really cleared up.

I got compliments on my hair looking shiny after using it 😀
My scalp didn't itch as much. I didn't find it drying at all.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

Skin- improved dry patches on my arms and legs.
Kept my dayghter's skin moisturised but she still had eczema flare ups. That's typical of her in warm weather though.

Shampoo - yes! Noticeable improvement in both.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Definitely and I already have!

Thank you very much, we will continue using them.

Thought I'd already given feedback but perhaps not.
Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

Very satisfied with both, overall. I noticed a difference certainly with my partner and my 2 youngest girls

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

My partner liked the shampoo, it was affective almost immediately. He used the cream on his face, which is usually very dry. It calmed redness too.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

Yes definitely. I also put the cream on my two daughters post chicken pox skin and it was verg soothing and moisturising

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Yep

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

^I found the cream ok it relieved the redness and dryness immediately but it didn't seem to help long term so the redness dryness of my child's eczema would remain. The shampoo was more effective although not as instant, after a few washes though I found I was no longer itchy or dry scalped!^

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

^The cream was thick and no smell to it The shampoo lathered well and was effective, no real scent to it either unlike some other dry scalp shampoos^

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

As above shampoo was overall more effective for the long term. The cream was ok for instant relief but ineffective over time didn't improve the skin condition at all

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Shampoo definitely probably not the cream

This is what my husband (who used the products) said:

I have tried all the shampoos and none worked as well as this one. Less flakes and a scalp that is not as tight and itchy as it used to be.

The cream was fine. The affected area was less itchy, but I'm not sure if it was any better than E45 cream. I didn't like the horrible sticky residue it left on my hands after applying the cream. E45 vanishes after a couple of minutes, but if have to wash my hands after using the cream.

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

My daughter found that the shampoo wasn't any more effective for her flaky scalp as other similar shampoos. However we both found the cream to be effective for the dry itchy skin we get on our lower legs.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

My daughter liked the creamy consistency of the shampoo and that it doesn't have an overly medicated smell. We both liked the consistency of the cream, not too thick or too runny and that it easily dispensed from the bottle.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

The shampoo unfortunately didn't make any improvement to my daughter's flaky scalp. However the cream was very effective at stopping itchiness.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Not the shampoo but definitely the cream.

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I have tried the shampoo in every hair wash, I found it relieved the itching for for about a day, but then it came back but as bad. The cream I didn’t find worked that well, compared to other ones I used. It’s my hands that dry out the most due to washing up and having to wash m hands a lot due to small children still being in nappies. As soon as you washed your hands the dryness came back fairly quickly. It also had a bit of a funny smell to it.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?

The shampoo- I liked that it didn’t smell too bad like others or leave my hair greasy. I felt it really washed all the dirt (and sometimes food, this is thanks to my 1 year old who loves to touch mummy’s hair with his messy fingers) out my hair. The cream - I liked that it did Moisturise my hands quickly, but it just didn’t stay in though washing my hands.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?

Sort of. The shampoo helped but not permanently, due to the length and thickness of my hair I can’t wash my hair everyday as it gets extremely greasy if I do. The cream did, but again if I washed my hands they returned to what they were before.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others?

Yes, my mum has tried the cream on her feet and she found it works really well.