I had a patch of itchy skin on the top of my back which nothing seemed to help. I tried Aloe Vera, Lanacane, eumovate, E45, hydrocortisone (pills and creams), betnovate (steroid cream), and some other anti-itch creams I can't remember the names of, but nothing made any difference.
Hope's relief cream is quite expensive, it's true, but for me it does actually work. I do begrudge the amount they charge, but it's such a relief finally to find something that really lives up to it's promise.
I apply the cream 3 or 4 times a day, or whenever the itching starts up. About 5-10 minutes after application, any itching is gone and the relief lasts for several hours. I put it on before I go to bed and from the 1st day I used it I have been able to sleep through the night without being woken up by the feeling that someone tossed a packet of itching powder down my neck! I haven't slept all night for 6 months!!
I read several studies on different natural alternatives to steroid creams, and liquorice and calendula were found to be effective. This cream contains these and various other effective soothing/healing ingredients such as aloe vera and manuka honey. It also contains vitamin E and moisturises the skin well; there's no need for additional moisturiser on top of it so you don't end up with a big sticky mess from layers of different creams.
It's very gentle - I have allergies to loads of things, but this is fine. It's meant to be suitable for babies and children and I've heard good things from friends with kids who use it, too.
It smells unusual but not unpleasant: it reminds me of some kind of confectionery but not sickly sweet. Perhaps it's the manuka honey and liquorice. It doesn't smell too strong and the scent fades quite quickly. It is a beigey-orange colour but if I rub it in well it doesn't stain my clothes, and when I have got any on them it has washed out easily.
Yes it's pricey, but if you're running out of options or want to use a natural treatment with no scary side-effects, it's well worth a go.
Hope it works for you as well!