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

Very good results here!

Cream has seen the best results to be honest, non greasy which I love and the difference in dd's skin is remarkable.
We have tried many medicated and prescribed creams, lotions and potions and this is by far the best.

She also has been itching less which is impacting on her quality of sleep so a brilliant result.

Shampoo, this is for ds. He has really dark thick hair and was noticing dandruff which as a teen is especially embarassing.
Since using the shampoo he has not noticed any which is great but the only downside I would say is that the bottle is a little small.

Overall, both brilliant products and would definitely buy.

Agree with Pps that the cream is definitely giving the best results so far. It's working wonders on my daughter's skin and I've found it very soothing and quick to absorb. Shampoo is not quite so good in that my scalp is still itchy and flaky, but perhaps not as much as previously. Would definitely buy the cream again and will continue with the shampoo to see if given more time it can help my scalp.

I've found both of these products wonderful. There was a noticeable decrease to the itchiness from the first time I used the cream, concentrating on a bad patch of excema on my elbow that was always very itchy. Over the period of testing, the skin is no longer so dry or red and the area affected is getting smaller. Once a day application has been fine but I might increase this and see if it makes even more of a difference. My child also says that their excema is no longer as sore and they no longer cry with pain so it must be helping.

The shampoo is also brilliant. The very first time I used it, I was amazed at how soft and flyaway my hair was - completely different from how it normally looks. Occcassionally, it might be drier after use but it's something I'm willing to accept and I'll not forget the difference that first application made. Dryness if scalp and itchiness has also reduced, I do still have spots/scabs but not so many. I used my normal shampoo again yesterday and there are a lot more and its itchier again so the Balneum is definitely helping. I have been massaging it into the scalp as the instructions say though which I don't normally bother doing so maybe this is helping?

Will definitely continue to use them and very grateful for this trial allowing me to discover them.

Very impressed by both the shampoo and the cream.

DD has eczema on the backs of her legs and in the crooks of her elbows. It's responded really well to the cream and is less inflamed and itchy which thank goodness means less scratching and broken skin.

My skin is extremely dry, flaky and itchy, I've found that the cream is easily absorbed and I feel less papery for once.

DH and I have been using the shampoo. DH normally used Head and Shoulders for dandruff and I use coal tar shampoo for itchy, flaky scalp. I cannot abide the coal tar smell so this was a real revelation and my hair looks good too! Thank you - we'll continue to buy this for the whole family.

I've been impressed with both shampoo and cream.

The shampoo has resolved my itchy scalp (no dandruff to deal with), when other "itchy scalp" shampoos have not.

I find the cream wonderful for stopping itching. It seems to work on contact for me, which is wonderful. I'd been waking up in the night due to itchy skin, this has sorted it. I don't mind the smell at all, and glad it's not been masked with a perfume of any sort.

I might be in the minority, but I like the packaging. It minimal and not covered in "natural" images. Makes it very easy to spot in the shower :-) The pump for the cream is clever, no worry about digging your hand into a pot.

Fourth wash and work jackets still dusted in dandruff.

Had this for 15 years - tried everything but sadly this joins the other bottles of specialist shampoos on the shelf.

my son 15 has been using it and he suffers with itchy scalp and skin. He really liked the shampoo his hair feels and looks soft and has not felt itchy since using it. The cream soaks in well and leaves his skin smooth and the dry patches are well moisturised. He likes both products and will continue to use them.

Have been really impressed with these products. Eczema on my son's arms definitely showing signs of improvement and the shampoo has a nice smell, not the medicated smell I was expecting. Will buy these again.

Im really pleased too and I cant smell anything much off either product

Been using both products and so far I’m not impressed with the shampoo, leaves my hair really dry and it doesn’t really do much for the itch. I am having a really bad period of psoriasis so I’m not sure if this is why it’s not helping although the cream is helping with the psoriasis patches on my elbow.

So far, so good. Have been using the cream and there's a noticeable difference in my skin. I have a mild form of psoriasis which affects various patches, and also desperately dry skin everywhere else. Am so far impressed!

I’m loving the cream, so is my husband. Find it keeps skin from drying very well. My husband suffers awful cracking around the knuckles and this has soothed things a lot. He hates grease so it’s worked well here as no residue. Can’t really smell much of anything in the cream myself which is also good for the kids and husband as they aren’t keen.

The shampoo isn’t quite as good. Does the job but I need more conditioner for my style so it isn’t a universal fix.

My daughter has been using the shampoo almost daily for a couple of weeks now. Her hair looks healthy and shiny and her scalp is much less painful.
The cream has a pleasant smell and is easy to apply.
So far very impressed.

The cream is fantastic for my sore, eczema covered hands. I often wake up itching in the night, so recently I've been reaching for the Balneum instead of my usual stuff and it helps take the itch and soreness off almost immediately.
I've used the cream on my face, it doesn't make it as soft as my usual (Nivea) but certainly helps with dry patches! DS and DH also like the cream for their face and arms.

Haven't used the shampoo that much, only once and wasn't too keen on the way it made my hair smell but DH says it's good (although he does just use whatever is available!)

I like how the cream is in a pump, rather than screw lid. Very convenient and less messy IMHO. I think I will buy again once we've ran out.

Thanks MN and Balneum!

So far the cream has been a real find! Has worked well on my extremely dry feet and my kids ( 5 and 7) prefer it to their normal lotion, it is richer in texture and, they claim, helps with any itchy spots. For me, I have a dry scalp patch and it seemed to help but to be honest that flairs up when I have dairy and I’ve being avoiding dairy recently which could also account for this. For effect on feet alone, the cream is something I would buy again. The shampoo has reduced flakiness from what I remember before by scalp still itches. I ordinarily use organic shampoos whose main ingredients are aloe vera and coconut oil. This has a strong detergent similar to sodium lauryl sulphate which is always bad news for my skin.

I have really noticed a big difference in the dryness of my skin after using the cream for the last couple of weeks.

Have tried the cream on my daughter who has Eczema on her torso, under her arm and down her upper arm. She's only a toddler so can't describe how it feels, however she does seem to stop itching on her torso after using it. However, this is not the case on her arm or under arm, sadly. It also doesn't appear to have softened anything more than any other cream.

As for the shampoo, I have Psoriasis on my scalp. I was so very hoping for an alternative to the horribly drying Capasal Coal Tar shampoo that I'm prescribed, as it causes horrific breakage & thinning. However, it was not the case for me, sadly. It seems nothing calms my scalp quite like Capasal. I think my Psoriasis is just too severe for a non-prescription strength /shampoo treatment. Although, I was impressed at how well Balneum actually did. I would certainly say that this is the next best thing. If for any reason I cannot get hold of Capasal then I would certainly go for Balneum.

I will also re-buy the cream, if even just for my daughter's rashes on her chest & back as these areas are soothed by the cream.

I have been using the cream since it arrived, and it has been so lovely to use. Nice consistency, spreads easily and moisturises well. I usually have dry patches by lunchtime, whether on my face or arms or legs, but have found that there have been no dry patches until I get home from work. I have also started mixing a very small amount into my foundation before I apply it and it has helped prevent the flakiness that would usually have appeared by mid morning.
I have used the shampoo a few times, it has cleaned my hair well - I only tend to wash it twice a week, and hasn’t left it feeling dry. There is not a strong smell to it which is a bonus.
I will definitely continue to use Balneum.

My partner has been using thee shampoo and it is really helping with his scalp. The cream is making my skin lovely and smooth too :)

So far, both seem to be working. DD and I have been using both, my scalp is definitely itching less although not stopped completely - I am hoping with continued use it will stop. I have been using a conditioner just on the ends as I do find it leaves my hair quite dry. DD likes the shampoo too although she said it is hard to get it to foam - she has very long hair - but that may be more about what she is used to as opposed to a negative with the shampoo.

I agree that the cream has a medicated smell but it has not put me off. I like that it absorbs quickly and is non-greasy and my skin is definitely less itchy and dry. DD used the cream and did get an area of redness on her inner arms - I wasn't sure if this was due to the cream or if she had scratched it sore, but we discontinued use for a few days and once that had settled, she has returned to using it with no further issues. Both DD and I have quite scaly arms and legs due to dryness and already there is a noticable difference in smoothness. I like the style and application of the pump dispenser for the cream.

The cream is really good. I have sensitive skin and I would say avoid the face. It made mine very red. I’ve just spent a week in hospital and the cream was a godsend as the environment was so dry. I really noticed a difference on my elbows.

The shampoo is not for me. I have dry hair and it just made it more frizzy and no amount of conditioner helped. Scalp was less itchy but it wasn’t worth it as my hair was a mess.

The cream was as good as anything I have had nonprescription before and I would recommend.

Thanks.

I’m amazed how good this stuff is! The cream relieved itchiness within one minute even though it says it’ll work within five. The scent wasn’t my favourite, it’s hard to describe what it smells like, maybe a bit plasticy? It wouldn’t put me off using it though as it works so well. Dh has eczema and has been using it daily as it works so well. He says it’s better than his usual cream!
Dd also has ezcema although only slightly and it’s helped her massively. We all love the cream!
The shampoo had no scent and worked like a dream on all the family’s hair. It leaves my scalp feeling really clean and more importantly not irritated. YAY! I’m so glad to have found this shampoo as my only other option was t gel which smells awful.
Can you tell I’m kind of obsessed with scents?
The whole family are now completely itch free and our skin is softer and more comfortable. Thank you to Balneum and mumsnet for letting us take part in the testing and relieving us all from the itchiness.

Early days of trialing the two products, but so far I am pleased with the results.
My DD and DH have been using the cream for eczema patches. They have found that the patches are less itchy but after 1 1/2 weeks the areas are still red but not scabbed so that is an improvement.
The whole family has used the shampoo as we all get itchy scalp and flakes. We have used other medicated shampoos in the past with varying results so was eager to try this. Personally, I don't use conditioner and therefore find that my hair often gets dry with these sort of products, but after using the Balneum anti dandruff shampoo my hair feels lovely and soft and my scalp is definitely not as itchy. The shampoo is quite thick so needs to be worked to get a good lather and it has a light medicated scent, but once on I would class it as unscented.

Mixed results in our household...

DH has psoriasis and the cream made these areas very red and angry looking. He also felt the cream was greasy and didn't moisturise.

I on the other hand have been using the cream in my lower legs which get really itchy, and I also get ingrowing hairs. Since I've been using my legs are not itchy, I don't seem to have any ingrowing hairs and my legs look so much better than they did previously.

I have also been using on my tummy which I generally keep under control with steroid cream. Since using I haven't used the steroid which is a massive benefit for me.

I'm not a fan of the smell to be honest, but the results outweigh this for me.

In terms of the shampoo, been using on my daughter who has a terribly itchy and dry scalp... results from the first wash - her scalp was less itchy and flaky so she's scratching less (which is good as I'm always paranoid that she has nits!!). I've used it too as I occasionally get dry scalp areas. I have very thick coarse hair, and always use lots of conditioner whatever shampoo I use, so I didn't notice it dried my hair out as I used my usual conditioning method which may have counteracted the affect others experienced.

Loved the canvas bag also, so big thumbs up here :-)

I've carried on with the shampoo as it works well for my hair, it's not as good at clearing my scalp as others but feels better on my hair...

The cream is good and soothing but doesn't seem to be having any healing effect on psoriasis. Like the shampoo, it's not perfect but is ideal to alternate with a more medical product.