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Is Cosmetics & Makeup HSA/FSA Eligible?

Category: Skin & Sun Care · Updated 2026-11-11
NOT ELIGIBLE
The Ruling

Explicitly excluded as a personal-use item with no medical purpose.

Medical careIRC §213(d) · IRS Pub. 502, "Cosmetics"
Typical price$10-60
Letter of Medical NecessityNot required

How the rule applies

Makeup, lotions and similar products are personal care items without a medical purpose. The IRS excludes them by name in Publication 502.

What to keep for your records

Do not submit cosmetics.

Watch out for

Acne medicine, prescription skin treatments and sunscreen are different and eligible. Anti-aging creams and fragrance are not.

Related in Skin & Sun Care

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This ruling applies the HSA/FSA account rules (IRC §223, IRS Pub. 969), the medical-care definition they rely on (IRC §213(d), IRS Pub. 502) and any later statutory change or IRS guidance listed above. It is for informational purposes only. Eligibility can vary slightly by plan administrator — when in doubt, confirm with yours before purchasing.

Your next step

Learn what applies to you, run your own numbers, then act on it.

1 · LearnHSA vs. FSAWhich account you can have, and what changes when you switchRead the guide 2 · AssessHSA Eligibility CheckerCan you open or contribute to an HSA this year?Open the tool
3 · ActOpen an HSALively offers an HSA you can open online. Confirm you have a qualifying HDHP first.Open an HSA with Lively Partner link. We may earn a commission; it never changes a ruling. How we make money
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