Can you use HSA for beauty products?

Asked by: Gabriella Hettinger  |  Last update: January 11, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (63 votes)

Yes, you can use a health saving account (HSA) for skin care, but there are some important factors to consider. The IRS allows HSA funds to be used for qualified medical expenses, and this includes certain skin care treatments and products.

Can you use HSA for skincare products?

You can spend your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) funds on eligible sunscreen, skincare, acne, and wellness products at Sephora.

Can I use my HSA for cosmetic?

Unfortunately, no. Procedures like facials and microderm abrasion that are deemed cosmetic are also seen as not medically necessary and are therefore, do not qualify for HSA use.

Can I use my HSA card at Ulta Beauty?

How can I use my FSA or HSA Money at Ulta? It's super easy. Shop your items at Ulta and be sure to save your receipts. Then, just submit your receipts to your benefits provider for reimbursement.

Can I use my HSA for shampoo?

While some exceptions may vary, shampoo is generally not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

FSA/HSA BEAUTY HACKS!

24 related questions found

Can I use my HSA for gym membership?

Generally, the IRS doesn't allow pretax dollars in HSAs or FSAs for gym memberships. This is because they see them as expenses for general well-being rather than medical necessity. However, with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), your HSA or FSA could be used to fund those expenses.

Can you use HSA on toiletries?

10 Costs Your HSA Won't Cover

Cosmetics. Funeral expenses. Hair transplants. Personal hygiene items: conditioner, deodorant, lotion, mouthwash, shampoo, and toothpaste.

Can HSA be used at Sephora?

A wide variety of over-the-counter healthcare products and treatments are eligible for FSA and HSA spending at Sephora and on Sephora.com. Including: Sunscreens with SPF 15+, acne treatments, acne preventions, medicated skin treatments, blue light therapy masks, and prenatal vitamins.

Can I use my HSA card for sunscreen?

Since sunscreen is a qualified medical expense, you can use your HSA or FSA debit card to make your purchase (at a pharmacy, grocery store, major retailer, etc.). If need be, you can also pay for it out of pocket and get reimbursed.

Does HSA roll over?

Unspent HSA funds roll over from year to year. You can hold and add to the tax-free savings to pay for medical care later. HSAs may earn interest that can't be taxed. You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums.

Can I use HSA for massage?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

Can I use HSA for teeth whitening?

Unfortunately, you can not use money from your HSA to cover teeth whitening services. While there are many benefits to white teeth, it is ultimately considered a cosmetic procedure. Any service designed to improve a patient's appearance as opposed to their bodily functions is not an eligible expense.

Can you use HSA for vitamins?

In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.

What can I not spend HSA on?

For example, nutritional supplements that aren't prescribed by your doctor aren't covered. Health club memberships and lactose intolerance medications typically aren't covered either. Here are some examples of non-qualified HSA expenses: Babysitting or child care (a dependent care FSA can help with child care)

Can you use HSA for cosmetic?

You typically can't use health savings account (HSA) funds to pay for cosmetic surgery tax-free if the procedure is done only to improve appearance. However, if a procedure serves a medical purpose, such as correcting a deformity from an injury or treating a health condition, it may be HSA eligible.

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons?

What skincare can I use my HSA for?

Eligible products may include sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, acne cleansers and medicated ointments, eczema treatments, scar and wound care products, and anti-itch creams. Basic skincare and cosmetic treatments are typically not covered.

Can I use my HSA for deodorant?

Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can I buy sunglasses on my HSA?

Polarized sunglasses are HSA-eligible if they have prescription lenses to correct your vision. The same concept applies to other sunglass lens options, such as mirrored lenses and anti-reflective (AR) coating. As long as the sunglasses have corrective lenses, they should be considered eligible HSA expenses.

Can you use HSA to buy makeup?

Even makeup can qualify as FSA/HSA eligible—though typically it's products that contain active ingredients like SPF or hyaluronic acid.

Can I use my HSA to cover gym membership?

While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

Can I buy shampoo on HSA?

Over-the-counter toiletries or personal hygiene items which may include, but are not limited to shampoo, toothpaste, conditioners, hand creams, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, dental floss, body powders, hair gels/sprays, make-up, nail polish accessories, soap, mouthwash, etc., are not reimbursable.

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can I buy an electric toothbrush with my HSA?

Are electric toothbrushes FSA or HSA eligible? Electric toothbrushes can be eligible for reimbursement through your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account), but there are some conditions. To qualify, the electric toothbrush must be prescribed by a dentist to treat a specific dental condition.

Can I use my HSA for chapstick?

Lip balm with an SPF of 15 or greater is an eligible over-the-counter (OTC) product with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).