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

So far I have only regularly used the shampoo. I like that it isn’t heavily fragranced and that a little goes a long way, however on my highlighted hair it felt quite drying so I had to use a conditioner. Unfortunately my head is still a bit scabby and itchy. I don’t know if this is because I’m having to use conditioner afterwards and it’s that causing the issue, although I am careful to only put conditioner on the ends of my hair.

I’ve used the cream once and my skin felt smooth. I will start using this regularly too and report back.

So far so good!! I get very itchy legs after shaving and the cream seems to be stopping this so far... I think the cream has a slightly odd fragrance, not bad but slightly reminds me of savlon! The shampoo is also doing a good job of calming my itchy scalp and keeping flakes away, I think it’s a little drying for my hair so using lots of conditioner to combat it. Overall I’m impressed so far!!

I can't say I've noticed the urea smell of the cream, but it's lovely and silky smooth. My very dry legs are enjoying it! I kind they it isn't sticky so I can get dressed immediately.

Husband is using the shampoo, I haven't had his opinion as yet.

The shampoo works really well, as good as T Gel and other medicated shampoos that I've used. It doesn't have any smell, which is a plus point.
The cream worked well but did sting on application. It was quite greasy and difficult to work in.

The cream is excellent. A genuinely noticeable difference after a single application. Skin stopped itching and felt much smoother. After a week of using it morning and night, my skin actually looks better too and has that nice "sheen" to it - just in time for the nice weather we had last week. The consistency is really nice - it feels substantial without being greasy, and it sinks in really quickly so I didn't get that horrible sticky feeling you often get with dry skin products. Loved the bottle too - the pump is much easier to use with slippy hands. I will definitely buy this product once it has ran out.

My DH has been testing the shampoo as he suffers terribly with a dry and sore scalp. He likes it so far and has stopped smothering his head in coconut oil since using it (which I am so happy about!!!).

I have started using both the cream and shampoo and have to say I am really impressed.
I have very sensitive skin and regularly have flare ups of itchy and sore patches. I have used the cream for a week or so and have really noticed an improvement in my skin and so far no break outs which is great!
Both myself and my son have used the shampoo as we both have sensitive scalps. He commented yesterday how he had noticed an improvement and his scalp was much less sensitive. I have also noticed an improvement. The shampoo is quite a thick consistency and I was interested to see how this would affect my hair. Since using it my hair is very soft.
Overall very impressed with both products.

Was very excited to receive both items in a cotton bag.
I’ve had an itchy scalp for a couple of years now, I think from wearing a fleece balaclava from skiing & have been horrified to have an constantly itchy head. Especially when it leaves a white snowstorm on my navy coat. It’s also not nice being next to an itchy person...
Thoughts are, well I haven’t noticed much diffence. I’ve been using neutrogena (T7?) shampoo which did help a couple of years ago.
More recently - just before this opportunity came up - I bought Alphonse shampoo & that had an active ingredient of some sort of coal tar. This did make a diffence.
I’ve now starred using Balneum & disppointly it’s not doing much. My head is itchy at the moment. ☹️
With regards to the lotion, it’s quite nice, I can’t use it on my hands, I think it has silicones in it which makes my hands feel horrible (I’ll stick to my trusty gloopy diprobase in a tube). It’s ok on my legs & arms.
Have used it on the DD’s & they quite liked it.
Thank you!

All good things here. The cream is brilliant. I have itchy eczema on my shins and after a couple of weeks it's really clearing up. It's working fantastically well on DS eczema too. I've not noticed any unpleasant smell though.

The shampoo has had less startling results, but my scalp isn't itchy which is all I need!

I've just tried the shampoo and am very impressed with how it's left my hair and scalp, I mostly use Exorex but have to switch around as constant use of the same product seems to exacerbate flare ups, so it's good to have another product to add to the list.

Not tried the cream yet.

Too early to say as have used shampoo twice. My dandruff is still going strong but the shampoo leaves my hair nice and shiny. I'm hoping after a few uses the flakes will ease a bit. I've had a dry scalp and extreme flakes for a decade now and have tried most things.

Cream feels nice and will report back when I have some results.

I've been trying both the shampoo and the cream. The shampoo is great, and has pretty much cured my itchy scalp. The cream is interesting - it has done wonders for the dry, slightly itchy skin on my forehead and cheeks, but I tried it on a patch of dry, very itchy skin on my neck and it seemed to make it worse, and also stung a lot! I also tried the cream on a small dry patch on DD2's back and it cleared that up. I haven't tried it on DD1 yet as I need to work up to it in case it stings her!

I instantly liked the cream, my skin has been extremely dry and itchy since the birth of my son 3 years ago and after 1 use of this product I noticed a difference. It doesn't smell particularly offensive but it's not exactly pleasant. I've also used it on some dry skin my son had and it seems to have cleared it up quite quickly.

The shampoo took a few uses for me to actually notice a difference. I have eczema on the base of my skull that had spread up my head and was covering a rather large amount of scalp as I hadn't been able to use my usual cream whilst pregnant. After using the product for 4 washes (every other day) my head stopped itching and the skin looks a lot less red and inflamed. My hair also looks lovely and shiney and feels clean and soft.

I love the neutral smell of the shampoo, it doesnt have that strong chemical smell other medicated shampoos have. It cleans well and doesnt make my hair feel like straw like other medicated shampoos.
My hair is soft and manageable when dried and my scalp after several uses is less itchy. It feels healthier.

I love the cream, it makes my daughters skin feel less scaly and soothes the itch, its a bit greasy but soon absorbs.

I started using them both on the day they arrived.

The shampoo doesn’t smell “medicated” at all and it smells a bit like I’m washing my hair with E45 cream. But bloody hell, the effects were immediate. There was an instant reduction in itching, even before I’d finished washing it. It’s absolutely incredible and I’m so grateful that I was chosen as a tester.

The cream is also really good, the skin on my arms became less itchy after 2 applications, and I’ve only really got into the habit of using it after a shower. My feet have given me trouble for - literally - years and it’s even improved that. Other creams I’ve had to rub in daily, but with Balneum I’ve only had to do it once every 2-3 days.

I’m amazed, I can’t believe the initial results.

I've been using the cream for a while now on myself as well as my daughter. Our arms saw an improvement after the first used with the dryness reducing. Affects have improved day by day. Does smell a little odd, but not enough not to use it and you get used to it.

The shampoo I have only used once so far so too early to tell but will keep you updated.

Unfortunately the shampoo has been a disaster for me. My scalp had just calmed down from an itchy phase, had been OK for 2-3w, and the Balneum shampoo flaredit up again. i gave it a few more goes to try, but have had to stop using it. Two washes with my usual shampoo, and its calming down again.

The cream OTOH has been lovely for my sandpapery patches. Smell isnt a problem (but I only put it on small patches, anyway).

I've only tested the cream so far. Unfortunately the pump on the one I received doesn't work despite my efforts.
I can squeeze the cream out using the inner pump which is a little messy but doable

The cream did nothing for my itchy skin which was disappointing. It also moisturised less than my normal product. My skin felt dry again within an hour and needed a repeat application. I expected intensive moisturisation
It's reasonably soothing so I'm going to persist with it to see if I get any better results throughout the challenge.

The smell didn't bother me, I didn't think it was strong enough to be offensive.

Next to try is the shampoo...

My daughter and I both have significant improvements in the itchy/scaly/flaky scalp department. She was really self-conscious that it looked like she had bits with the itching and she’s a happy bunny that she doesn’t feel the need to scratch at all.

The cream isn’t the nicest smelling product in the world but it sinks in quickly and my skin feels in a better condition after just a few uses. My daughter’s skin is still quite dry but she swims more regularly than I do so it does get much drier.

The packaging is fine but the whole lid mechanism came off the cream accidentally when my daughter dropped it and it could have made an almighty mess had it not been noticed.

My DH and I have both been using the cream with success. Itchiness has definitely improved for both of us and our skin is left smooth.
We tried the cream on our 5 year old who scratches his skin badly when he is going to sleep. I'm aware that, like many other skin products, there is a warning not to use on broken skin but he was literally sobbing in pain as he said how much it stung. We've gone back to putting Sudocrem on him as this doesn't sting him but is obviously quite messy.
My DH and DS have both been using the shampoo and both have stopped itching. Neither has really commented about the smell so it must be OK. They have short hair so I haven't really noticed it being dry.

Was so excited to try this. As a family prone to eczema and dry, itchy skin we have tried a number of products in the past. The cream has been particularly good for my son. We've previously been applying a thick moisture-retaining cream several times a day. This cream was better in texture to what we have been using and seemed to retain moisture within the skin for longer, with a lot less itching. This was within two days of application. I didn't particularly find the smell off putting. I've tried it on some dry patches myself and although not as good as on my son, my patches do seem to be less dry and itchy. Shampoo seems good too, good texture, lathers ok and washed out fine. Less itching but not noticed obvious improvement in dry scalp but only used it threee times so far

Dd is very impressed with the shampoo, it has made a big difference to the flakiness of her scalp in just a few washes, and she says it is hardly ever itchy now.

We’re both using it on our keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) arms - early days, but I think it is feeling smoother. I can’t say I’ve noticed the smell, definitely much better than other urea containing creams I’ve tried, and much easier to rub in. I like the pump as it’s making Dd use plenty of cream, but it is hard to use after the first pump without covering the bottle in cream as you kind of need to use both hands.
I’m going to try it on DS1’s eczema next, and DH’s psoriasis too.

The shampoo - I quite liked this. Did notice more itchiness for a couple of days, but I thought that was maybe scalp recovering. It's made a great difference to the flakes on my scalp, but also requires a lot of conditioner as it makes my hair quite dry.

Moisturiser - I'm torn. On my legs it has been brilliant, particularly when using after shaving which is my itch trigger time. It's meant a lot of the wounds I have from scratching have started to heal. On my face, however, it has been a nightmare - the skin between my nose and upper lip goes very dry and scaly and I've never found anything to sort it out. After a couple of days of using the Balneum the skin started to feel like it was cracking and was constantly itchy and bright pink. Really sore. Same with my eyelids and the skin between eye and eyebrow - scaly, cracking, sore. I stopped using the balneum and it's improved again.

I agree about the slightly strange smell. I love the smell of aqueous cream, and I was expecting something similar, but the smell of this is...strange. When I used it on my face, I also found that I had a really horrible taste in my mouth and a greasy feeling on my tongue for hours afterwards, despite making sure I got none on my lips.

DH has been using the cream and he isn’t loving it. He has cream that he uses from the GP for itching which he says is much better, this cream isn’t as thick and he feels it isn’t as hydrating.

I have been using the shampoo, I think it’s helped my scalp but unsure if it’s in my mind. I’ve only used it three times or so and honestly don’t know if I’ll use it again. It made my hair super greasy and incredibly tuggy. So can’t say I’ve been a fan

The cream feels heavy to me, and like other posters I have not been keen on the smell. It has helped with the dry skin on my legs and also my partner has been using it to good effect with cracked skin on his knuckles but again, the smell has put him off a bit. DD doesn’t like the clinical looking bottle so has stuck with her trendy looking lush dream cream.

With the shampoo it has seemed to soothe my scalp, it is not so itchy and sore, but it is really not good for my frizzy bleached hair which has gone a little haywire!

I am using both products. I use the cream on my hands, and am very impressed with how soft it is leaving them. It is less effective on the dry skin on the back of my neck. The shampoo does leave my scalp less itchy, however I find I need to use a lot of conditioner. The shampoo does not have a great smell.