At a glance:
If you or your baby are suffering from allergies, this is the wonder product you need. The smell is subtle and the non-greasy texture is easy to put on. A great alternative to antihistamines and effective enough to be worth its price tag.
What they say:
Hay Fever? Dust or Pet Allergy? This multi-award winning allergen barrier balm has been proven to trap dust allergens, pet allergens and more than a third of pollen before it can get in. If less allergens are getting into your body, your symptoms will be reduced. In a 2015 Allergy UK survey, 80% (134 of 166) of respondents said that HayMax worked well.
Tested by mum Simona Allen for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Yes, I would. The product is compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding, which is helpful when you cannot take standard medicines or do not wish to. Also, the pot is very small so fits into the smallest of handbags and also good for travelling (it can be part of hand luggage as it is under 100ml).
How did this product make your life easier?
I think when you are a mum, you need very quick solutions, as you do not have time to faff around with lengthy procedures and you want something quick and easy. This product offers just that. Also, it is compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding which is helpful!
Would you choose this product to win?
The HayMax Barrier Balm is an easy solution to a fairly annoying problem. If you are a mum who breastfeeds, then this is perfect if you wish to avoid medicines of any kind. I am not sure I would choose this product if I had a very severe allergy though, as that may require medication, but in the case of a mild allergy then this is perfect.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would probably make different pots of different sizes to accommodate more people. Also, I would make the product more hydrating as it tends to dry out my skin a little bit. However, both are very small critiques as the product is good as it is.
Tested by mum Nikki Vickery for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I have and will recommend this to other mums whose babies are suffering with hay fever. It didn’t work too well for us, but that doesn’t mean it won't for others. It is easy to use, easy to transport, small, compact and secure. It did not stain any clothing or leave any unsightly marks on my baby's face where it was put.
How did this product make your life easier?
Unfortunately for me this did not make any difference to my life as a mum, it did not help my baby in any way and he continued to be affected by hay fever. I used it a few times to give it the benefit of the doubt, but to no avail. However, it may be that my baby’s allergies are stronger than the average person and that is why it didn’t work very well.
Would you choose this product to win?
Although I believe this is a good product, I would not suggest that it win this category because it wasn’t effective enough for us.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would change the packaging, I felt it was boring and not eye catching. It felt like something somebody had designed at school for a project. I would suggest maybe a larger amount of product, given the price tag.
Tested by mum Kat Adams for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I definitely would and I have already done so to quite a few friends who suffer with hay fever – it is so easy to use and nicely designed. It is very discreet and takes seconds to apply, fitting perfectly into a handbag or even a pocket which is reassuring. It has a very subtle smell, which is exactly what you want when applying it directly onto your nose.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product is a total godsend for those suffering from hay fever like myself. Gone are the days of checking the pollen count on my weather app and planning accordingly, as I now have full confidence that I will not suffer after applying Hay Max. It is small and discreet and can be applied (one handed!) in a matter of seconds.
Would you choose this product to win?
I have tried various products and have always been conscious that with a busy household (children and a dog) I am hesitant to take things that may make me drowsy, or affect me at all. I am also still breastfeeding so it has been great not having to check with doctors or a pharmacy whether the product is safe. It is also good that it is suitable for kids too and this further reassures you that the ingredients are not going to be full of nasty chemicals. Aesthetically it looks great, just like a lip balm or little moisturizer and it is gender neutral too which I think makes it more appealing.
What changes would you make to this product?
Through looking on their website I can see that there are different scents available, so I would perhaps like to try the Lavender one. I am not that keen on the Aloe Vera scent, but I appreciate that it is discreet, so you don't have people asking what the smell is! Also, whilst the compact design is good and handy, I do have quite long nails and so it does prove a little bit tricky getting it out, as it tends to get stuck underneath my nails so perhaps some kind of optional applicator would be useful. This would also ensure that I get it all out and make it less messy which would is always appreciated when I am surrounded by mess and chaos!
Tested by mum Hollie Ward for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
The packaging is really compact so fits easily into my hand bag and was easy to put on. I had a runny nose and itchy eyes but as soon as I put the product on, I felt less desire to rub my eyes. I also liked the fact I could so something to stop my little boy from feeling uncomfortable. The fact it is natural is a great selling point.
How did this product make your life easier?
As a breastfeeding mum, having allergies has been something I have had to just put up with, as antihistamines are not allowed. This natural product was very easy to use and I felt safe knowing that it wasn't going to affect my breastfeeding journey. I also used it on my baby to ease his hayfever symptoms.
Would you choose this product to win?
I think it's an innovative product and although I was sceptical about it working, it really did. I put it on the bridge of my nose and near my eyes and it seemed to help stop the eye itching. It does seem quite expensive for what it is, but it will last a long time. I haven’t seen any other products on the market like this!
What changes would you make to this product?
The packaging isn't very inspiring and it looks quite homemade because of the font used. Making it look more expensive would attract more parents I think and stop people from thinking it isn’t good value for money. A different colour pot would probably make it look more expensive as the white does tend to look cheaper.
Tested by mum Kirsty Thewlis the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
In my opinion, this is not something you would need to help care for your baby so I would not say it is aimed at mums particularly. But it is something I would recommend to my friends if they suffered with hayfever or allergies as it is quick and easy to apply, not sticky and it is not noticeable once applied. As it is a small tub, it can be easily thrown in your bag and taken around with you as it would not take up much room. I felt that it did work when I used it.
How did this product make your life easier?
I would not say it makes my life easier as a mum, as I would not use it on my newborn baby and it is not an essential item. It is something I would use whether a mum or not, if and when I have symptoms of hayfever.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would choose this product for all the reasons stated above and the fact it is more natural than similar products out there. Whilst it is more expensive than other products, they tend to be one a day tablets that would only last a week. The Haymax product would likely last longer than a week, making it better value for money.
What changes would you make to this product?
There is nothing I can think of that I would change. The packaging is good quality, the product itself feels like good quality and it works. Also, the tub is the right size and convenient to take out with you!