Whether you love a good everything shower or can’t be bothered with more than a bare-bones routine, there’s no denying that skin health is important. It’s your body’s largest organ, your first line of immune defense, and, often, the first thing to show your age. But skincare doesn’t come cheap, and the price of different products adds up fast (cleanser, serums, sunscreen, oh my!). Could your HSA/FSA help out?

In short, while it depends on the product and what it’s used for, many skincare products are HSA/FSA-eligible (yay!). Keep reading to learn how to use those funds for your skincare routine, along with key product categories to help you get started. 

When is Skincare HSA/FSA Eligible?

Skincare is generally HSA/FSA-eligible if it’s used to prevent, treat, or diagnose a medical condition, not if it’s used for purely cosmetic purposes (to improve your skin’s appearance) or general, everyday use.  

Types of skincare products that may be HSA/FSA-eligible include sunscreen, acne treatments, eczema cream, and certain skincare tools. 

Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 15+)

It’s not the sexiest of skincare products, but sunscreen is an absolute non-negotiable in your morning routine (yes, even if it’s cloudy). Since it protects against sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, daily sunscreen use is the first product you should purchase for healthier skin.  

To be HSA/FSA-eligible, sunscreen generally must provide at least SPF 15 and offer broad-spectrum protection. And that’s a good thing, because experts recommend that you wear at least SPF 30, as it filters roughly 97% of UVB rays, and broad-spectrum protection ensures you’re shielded from both UVA and UVB rays. While both types of UV radiation can cause skin cancer, UVB rays are associated with sunburns, while UVA rays are associated with photoaging (sun-induced skin aging). 

Stridekick Pick

Proactiv Clear Skin SPF 30 Sunscreen ticks both boxes for HSA/FSA eligibility with SPF 30 and broad-spectrum coverage, with a lightweight, non-greasy formula that won’t break you out. It’s dermatologist-developed and tested, with a matte-looking finish that’s perfect for sweaty, sunny days. The 3-in-1 formula hydrates and mattifies while protecting your skin from sun damage, making it ideal for jam-packed mornings when you don’t have time for a multi-step routine. 

Acne Treatments

The idea that acne stops after adolescence is a major myth: Over 25% of women and 12% of men in their 40s experience acne, according to Yale Medicine. Thankfully, we have access to an enormous array of acne treatments to help keep those little bumps at bay, and they’re HSA/FSA-eligible!

You can pay for both over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments with your HSA or FSA, including acne cleansers, body washes, spot treatments, pimple patches, and more. 

Stridekick Picks

The Stridekick Shop offers complete acne systems from Proactiv® to help keep your skin clear with a straightforward 3-step routine. You can choose the one that best suits your skin type:

• Looking for the original Proactiv routine? Choose the Proactiv® Solution 3-Step Routine, the brand’s original acne solution to help treat and prevent acne on oily or combination skin.
• Looking for a gentler option? Choose the Proactiv Clean™ 3-Step Routine, a gentler option to help manage mild acne and occasional breakouts on sensitive, acne-prone skin.
• Need hydration for dry skin? Choose the Proactiv+® 3-Step Routine, a hydrating option for dry skin types that’s formulated to minimize dryness and irritation.

Eczema Cream

Around 10% of people in the U.S. have eczema, making it one of the most common chronic skin conditions. It causes dry, inflamed, itchy patches of skin, with triggers ranging from allergens to sweat to cold weather and even stress. Since it’s chronic, people with eczema often need to keep a topical cream on hand to help soothe flare-ups. 

You can use your HSA or FSA account to cover skincare used to treat eczema or other skin conditions, like rosacea and psoriasis. 

Stridekick Picks

You can shop Gladskin on the Stridekick Shop, a brand of microbiome-friendly skincare products formulated specifically for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. HSA/FSA-eligible options include:

• Gladskin Eczema Cream with Micreobalance®, a steroid-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic moisturizer formulated to help balance the skin microbiome and reduce eczema symptoms
• Gladskin Biome Balancing Gel with Micreobalance®, a lightweight hydrator with a fast-absorbing, concentrated gel formula for full-body use
• Gladskin Biome Balancing Cream with Micreobalance®, a rich recovery cream formulated to replenish skin lipids, calm itchiness, and promote a balanced skin microbiome

Skincare Tools Used for Muscle Tension or Pain Relief

While skincare tools used exclusively for aesthetics or relaxation typically aren’t HSA/FSA-eligible, if you use them to help manage pain, inflammation, or muscle tension, they might meet eligibility criteria. To secure your reimbursement, you may need a Letter of Medical Necessity, or LMN, a document from a doctor confirming that the product helps with a specific medical condition—more on that below. 

Stridekick Pick

The WTHN Face Cupping Kit uses gentle suction to boost blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and collagen and elastin production. You can use these silicone cups to help with TMJ tension, puffy skin, and facial tension—the kit even comes with a detailed guide, including acupressure points, to set you up for success. 

Are Red Light Therapy Masks HSA/FSA-Eligible?

Red light therapy masks can be HSA/FSA-eligible, provided they’re used to treat a medical condition (like acne, eczema, or psoriasis) and aren’t just for general skin health. Again, you may need to get an LMN for reimbursement. 

Stridekick Picks

These red light therapy devices from the Stridekick Shop are HSA/FSA eligible through Trumed:

• NovaaLab Glow Therapy Mask, a hands-free LED face mask that delivers red, near-infrared, and (in some models) blue light wavelengths for clinical-level skincare results
• Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand, an FDA-cleared skincare tool that combines red light therapy, microcurrent, therapeutic warmth, and facial massage in an easy-to-use handheld device
• Hooga HG200 Red Light Therapy Device, a compact panel with 40 LEDs that emit clinically-proven red and near-infrared wavelengths for skin health, pain relief, and muscle recovery

Skincare That’s Usually Not HSA/FSA-Eligible

Sadly, not all skincare is HSA/FSA-eligible, and these products usually don’t meet the criteria:

• Everyday products like non-medicated cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and makeup
• General skincare tools used purely for cosmetics, like facial rollers and gua shas
• Anti-aging skincare: If a product’s primary use is for treating wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, or age-related discoloration, it’s probably not HSA/FSA-eligible. 

The Stridekick Shop saves you from having to decode which products do and don’t qualify; just look for our HSA/FSA sticker on eligible items.  

How to Use Your HSA/FSA for Eligible Skincare

Some skincare products, like sunscreen and acne treatments, are automatically covered under your HSA or FSA, while others require an LMN from your doctor. While you can always ask your physician for an LMN, shopping on a Truemed-partnered site like Stridekick can make the process a whole lot faster. Here’s how to get it done:

• Head over to the Stridekick HSA/FSA Shop and select the product you want. 
• You’ll be redirected to the product’s website for checkout. Select “Pay with HSA/FSA” to be redirected to Truemed’s survey.
• Fill out the online health survey, which will be remotely reviewed by a physician with no in-person visit required. You can expect your LMN within 24 to 48 hours.
• Use your HSA/FSA card to pay for your product, and submit the LMN with the receipt to your HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement. 

It’s that simple to start using your HSA or FSA for skincare you’ll *actually* use. Happy shopping!