Read Mumsnet users reviews on Balneum scalp and skin care products

[EllieMumsnet]

This thread is now closed

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

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

Very satisfied with both. The only criticism I have of the cream is that I find it a bit greasy. Cannot fault the shampoo, it clears my scalp well and leaves my hair feeling soft.

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

The cream stops the itching and really soothes dry skin. The shampoo made my scalp much less flaky and left my hair soft. I usually find with shampoos that if they are good for my scalp they are not good for my hair and vice versa but this seems to work well for both.

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

Yes, much improved scalp.

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

Definitely, the shampoo in particular.

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

Yes, very satisfied, they both did what they said.

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

I (and DD) really liked the pump dispenser for the cream; very easy to use and you get just the amount that you need.

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

Yes; I noticed a difference in my scalp straight away. DD's skin has had a huge improvement, partly because the cream helped stop the itch/scratch cycle but also because it was easy to use and didn't sting, it encouraged her to use it more regularly which helped.

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

I probably would, although I would probably only buy either if they were on offer.

I've tried the cream for a while, which I do like, had relieved the dryness and itching somewhat, just has a bit of a strange smell?

The shampoo I feel mixed about.. on the one hand the itching is less, and I've noticed less dryness to the scalp, but it makes my hair really dry and has not eradicated the itching, but will stick with it!

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I've tried the cream for a while, which I do like, had relieved the dryness and itching somewhat, just has a bit of a strange smell?

The shampoo I feel mixed about.. on the one hand the itching is less, and I've noticed less dryness to the scalp, but it makes my hair really dry and has not eradicated the itching, but will stick with it!

Overall, I am really satisfied with both and willing to keep on trying!

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

The cream glides on, a little greasy but the moisture really helps with dryness. Definitely reduces the itching! The shampoo also reduced itching and made my hair feel nice (after conditioner!)

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

Skin- yes a definite improvement to redness and dryness, scalp, some improvement but nothing major so will keep trying!

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

Yes I would, definitely to try but hopefully after a few more tries with the shampoo!

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

My DD & I both liked the cream. It worked well at soothing our itchy skin and gave relief. This was especially benefiting to DD who tends to scratch itches making them even worse. I liked how the cream sank in effortlessly too and didn't leave any sticky residues. I wasn't overly keen on the pump dispenser as it suddenly ran out of product which I wasn't expecting.

Personally, the shampoo wasn't for me. It didn't do anything for my bleach blonde locks. But it was great for my dd, again relieving the itchiness, she did need plenty of conditioner thought.

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

Cream : Easy to absorb. Soothed itchy skin. Calmed redness.

Shampoo : relief of itch.

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

Yes the cream helped with both mine & dds itchy skin.

The shampoo worked well at soothing dds itchy scalp.

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

Yes I would.

questions:

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

I thought that the cream was really good nice smell rubbed in well and was very moisturising. The shampoo was not my favourite I found it very drying to my hair and the fragrance was off putting

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

The cream worked really well especially on my daughters skin

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

My daughters skin felt much better. My sons scalp was less irritated

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

I would recommend the cream, the shampoo not as much due to how it made my hair feel afterwards

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

Very impressed with the cream, impressed with the shampoo

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

Cream goes on easily, the pump is easy to use and the lid would stop accidental spillages in suitcases etc. The cream feels very soothing. The shampoo is great and doesn't have an unpleasant scent like some other brands

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

The cream improved the dry skin on my legs and arms after a couple of days use, particularly my knees and elbows. The shampoo definitely left my scalp less irritated than with conventional shampoo.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others

Yes, I would. The only comments I have are that the cream has a strange smell (urea) when first applying, although it is not noticeable once it has sunk in. The shampoo doesn't lather much, and I had to use a lot of conditioner afterwards.

I think the shampoo is just amazing. I've struggled all my life with an itchy scalp, and just after the first use my scalp felt calm and didn't itch. It's bliss. I really like that it doesn't have that smell that some anti dandruff, medicated shampoos have (although I'd put up with it if it worked)
The shampoo has definitely improved my scalp, and there are no sores on it now. I will be buying once this bottle has gone. My daughters have used the cream on their very dry skin and I would say there is an improvement, although they are not too keen on the smell.
I have already recommended the shampoo to a fellow itchy scalp sufferer.

This may sound a bit OTT but I am really grateful for the shampoo, I wasn't that optimistic having spent a fortune on loads of products in the past, but this truly works for me. Thank you

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

Very satisfied with the shampoo, it has cleared up my scalp and you only need to use a tiny bit. Haven't reused the cream since initial use when it stang on application.

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

I liked the consistency of the shampoo. I also think it has made my hair more shiny, and weirdly, brought out natural highlights. I've had a lot of comments asking if I've dyed it, and I don't dye my hair.

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

It improved my scalp.

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

I have and will continue to recommend the shampoo.

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

Yes, very.

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

Unperfumed, soothing, shampoo leaves my hair feeling lovely, cream instantly reduces itching and is a long lasting moisturiser.

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

It was on par with other over counter products but better for me as it was unperfumed.

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

Yes

• Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo? It was Ok, didnt make anything worse but the itching especially the scalp didnt seem to improve greatly.
• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo? The shampoo smelt nice and lathered well and felt good going on. Didnt make anything sore.

The cream was cooling going on and felt lovely and light not greasy and again the smell was good. Out of the two I'd say the cream was the most beneficial to us both.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp? I'd say it's helped dd more than me but her itching has always been less severe than mine.
• Would you recommend the product(s) to others? I would say give it a go.

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

Very satisfied, it exceeded my expectations

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

The moisturiser is easy to apply but is slightly tacky after applying. I’ve been using it on my legs and feet where it has worked brilliantly. I’ve also been using it on my upper arms and they are definitely smoother and the small bumps have almost disappeared. I like the pump on the bottle of moisturiser, it seems to dispense just the right amount and makes it easy and convenient to use.My son has tried the shampoo and found it left his hair really really soft and nice. The smell is quite pleasant. His head wasn’t itchy at the moment but we will definitely use it when it is. I’ve also tried the shampoo and liked it.

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

Yes, skin was definitely hydrated and smoother.

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

Yes I would, particularly the cream. I will be buying it again.

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

Unfortunately not at all satisfied. The cream has made no difference, the stop itching in 5 minutes claim is questionable.

The shampoo has absolutely ruined my hair despite using really intensive conditioning treatments. Scalp is still dry and itchy.

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

Hmm, the shampoo foams well. I liked the pump bottle for the fream.

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

Not at all.

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

Definitely not. I was so excited to try these products, sure that they would really transform my skin. Really disappointed sadly.

1. Overal my daughter and I loved the cream. The shampoo was great for my daughter but unfortunately has made my hair worse. It hasn’t helped with my itchy scalp and has made my hair very straw like.

2. My daughter found the shampoo made her hair softer. We both liked the cream dispenser and the fact that the cream rubbed in very easily, it also didn’t appear to have a smell.

3. the cream improved our skin but unfortunately the shampoo didn’t.

4. I would recommend the cream definitely.

1. Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?

I was really pleased with the shampoo.

As per the cream, my eczema is due to allergies to most kinds of lotions, potions and creams and sadly I was also allergic to this one so could only use the cream once.

• What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo? The shampoo was good and improved my scalp's dryness almost from the first use. I liked the packaging for both products.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp? Yes to scalp, no to skin. It made it worse.

• Would you recommend the product(s) to others? Yes to the shampoo. The cream I'm sure may work for others with eczema, but obviously all eczema is different.

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

We were pleased with both although the shampoo has been used more than the cream.

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

We liked the formula of the cream, no greasiness and no strong medicinal smell or lingering smell. The shampoo lathers well with a little extra water and leaves the hair soft and shiny.

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

The shampoo worked the first few times for my DH but then the itch came back. However my daughter likes it and it has improved her dandruff a lot, her hair looks much nicer and not greasy like before.

The cream seems to do what is expected but we don't have lots of dry skin, just small patches so I don't know how well it would work on someone with bad exzema.

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

Yes I would. We have used Nizoral for dandruff in the past (as well as T-Gel but it stinks!) which works well but costs more than the Balneum so probably doesn't get used as much as it should. Like I said previously, it helps that there is not strong medicial/chemical smell after using it.

Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp?
The shampoo has also worked for my 14 year old son who is very self concious of his itchy flakey scalp he prefers this shampoo to the one prescribed by the doctors as it doesnt smell as pungent, and leaves his hair less straw like.

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

i would definitely recommend both products to the others.

-Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?
I really really liked the cream, it made mine and my daughter's skin significantly less dry and itchy. I wasn't amazed by the shampoo, my scalp is still dry and itchy but perhaps not as bad as before.

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

For me the cream was the best performing of the two, it wasn't strongly smelling or greasy and left my skin in much better condition.

• Did it improve yours or your family member’s skin and/or scalp? Scalp wasn't much improved by the shampoo really but I have noticed that my skin is much less dry and scaly, and my dd is complaining less about hers.
• Would you recommend the product(s) to others? I'd recommend the cream, but probably not the shampoo.

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

Very very pleased! I love them both and will definitely be purchasing once these run out.

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

How fast it worked and relieved our symptoms

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

It has massively improved our skin conditions. I don't need to shampoo every day now, which I did before, to stop it getting too itchy.

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

YES!

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

Very satisfied - they were used across the family and we all liked them and had good results. I haven't particularly noticed the smell from the cream that other testers have mentioned. 7 year old DD in particular benefited from calming red, inflamed, itchy skin,

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

Effective, nice texture, easy to dispense. I normally use Capasal shampoo and cannot bear the smell!

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

Yes calmed my daughter's skin, I found it very enriching so my skin was less flaky and itchy. My husband found the shampoo as good as the Head & Shoulders that he usually uses.

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

Yes

I've been using the cream on my children daily. I have tried many many creams but none have been as effective as this. It's fast working and took the itch away instantly for them. Their eczema has cleared up to the point it's barely there. I used the shampoo and have seen some improvement. Would have been nice if it smelt a little nicer! But yes I would 100% recommend both these products. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to try these

Final feedback ( initial thoughts posted earlier):

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

Cream - 9/10 will buy in future as improved dry feet most of all and is generally useful to have whenever have a rash.

Shampoo - 6/10 - was good but not keen on detergent level

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

Kids and I loved texture of cream. It felt very rich and high quality. We felt like itching really did subside. Packaging was also high quality.

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

Yes, noticeably for skin. For scalp, it was better but less obvious. I usually use organic, aloe vera and coconut oil based non sodium laurate sulphate shampoos which I think overall do a better job.

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

Yes, certainly cream and shampoo worth a try if other organic non sodium lauryl sulphate shampoos not already doing trick.

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

The cream worked as well as other skin creams I use for my eczema, but as it would be £9.99 I probably wouldn't buy it as the others are much cheaper (or free on prescription).

The shampoo has actually made my scalp feel more sensitive, so after about 10 days I'm going to stop using it. Although it doesn't leave your hair in great condition, I wouldn't really complain about that as most medicated shampoos don't!

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

The cream was good as an everyday cream, if a bit sticky. I liked the pump bottle.

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

No.

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

No.

Tester

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

Quite satisfied. As mentioned previously, the cream worked brilliantly for my 3 year old who has dry, itchy skin. The cream was soothing and moisturising without being greasy.
Did not work for my 5 year old who suffers from patches of eczema.

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

I loved how easily and quickly it was absorbed which really sped up application. Also loved the fact that it was not greasy and my daughter was able to wear her clothes immediately after application.

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

Yes, definitely. My 13 year old son reported that the shampoo cleared all his dandruff. I also noticed after washing my daughter's hair that it left her hair feeling soft and moisturised whereas otherwise it is usually very dry after shampooing.

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

The products I would definitely recommend although I did find them to be quite pricey.

Additionally, I wanted to mention that the packaging/design is very dull and visually not appealing at all! It certainly would not catch my eye in a store if I did not know about it previously. It looks more like a prescription medication.

Overall how satisfied were you with the cream and shampoo?
Cream - extremely satisfied
Shampoo- very satisfied

What did you or your family member like about the cream and shampoo?
The cream relieved citing almost on contact. Not sticky, dried quickly and didn't require a large amount of it. I also like the pump container it comes in.
The shampoo is nice smelling and doesn't dry out my hair. I'm not sure if it's because it's actually moisturisering, but didn't initially feel like it was cleaning my hair well. With more use, I realise it does. Not bad at reducing itching, but not quite as effective as the cream.

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

Yes, noticeably.

Would you recommend the product(s) to others?
Yes I would. I found both products to be quite effective (the cream brilliantly so).