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PART 1: What Beaty Products Your FSA/HSA Can Actually Cover

Wait… You Can Use Your FSA/HSA on Beauty Products?


If no one has pulled you aside and told you this yet… I’m about to make your whole week:


You can use your FSA or HSA dollars on certain skincare and beauty items.

I know. I also felt like I had been left out of a secret group chat.


Woman smiling and washing face with foaming cleanser
Woman smiling and washing face with foaming cleanser

Like most moms, I thought my HSA/FSA card was only for my expensive contact lens orders, kids’ medicine, and the 47 doctor visits trips we make now that my toddlers share germs at activities like gymnastics and ballet. But it turns out that a shocking amount of everyday skincare actually qualifies, especially SPF and acne treatments.


And once you understand why, this whole thing suddenly makes sense.

Let’s break it down in the easiest, mom-friendliest way possible.


Why Some Skincare Qualifies for FSA/HSA

The IRS allows reimbursement for medical care, which includes products that:

✔ Treat a skin condition (like acne, eczema, psoriasis) ✔ Prevent medical issues (like sun damage via SPF) ✔ Contain active medicinal ingredients with a Drug Facts label


That means these categories are commonly eligible:

  • Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)

  • Acne treatments (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene)

  • Hydrocolloid acne patches

  • Medicated cleansers

  • Eczema/psoriasis creams

  • SPF lip balms with medicinal ingredients


If the product is designed to treat or prevent a skin issue, not just for aesthetics, it often qualifies.


Where You Can Use Your HSA/FSA Card Directly

(As in ZERO receipt uploads)


These are some retailers that auto-approve eligible items at checkout:


1. Amazon (FSA/HSA Eligible Storefront)

They have an entire section of nothing but eligible SPF, acne care, first-aid, and more.


Everything on these sites qualifies. Shopping here is like a cheat code and I stock on on big hauls for my medicine cabinet, breastfeeding supplies and more.


Where You Can Shop, But Must Submit Receipts

This is the part nobody explains:


You absolutely can buy eligible items from Sephora, Ulta, Target and other brand websites…BUT your card won’t auto-approve at checkout.


  • You’ll pay with your regular card

  • Save the receipt

  • Submit it to your HSA/FSA portal for reimbursement

  • Get money back


Totally allowed. Totally worth it.


Your Easy Eligibility Checklist

The best way to know if an item is eligible is to login to your plan and find the list of eligible items. However, to help guide you, you can use this before buying (or screenshot it for your camera roll):

  • Does it have a Drug Facts panel?

  • Is it a mineral SPF?

  • Is it a medicated cleanser?

  • Does it treat acne or eczema?

  • Does the retailer mark it as FSA/HSA Eligible?

  • Does it appear on FSAStore.com/HSAStore.com?


So now that you know this, what are the first items you are going to check out?


Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. FSA/HSA eligibility varies by plan. The examples shared are categories of products that often qualify due to active medicinal ingredients like zinc oxide or acne-treating ingredients. Always check your plan details or retailer eligibility labels.


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