How to use up your FSA funds on Amazon

At the top of each year, many companies offer employees the option of putting tax-free money into a flexible spending account, or FSA, so you can use it on medical expenses over the course of the year. What’s considered a “medical expense” is actually pretty far reaching. It can cover insurance deductibles, prescription copayments, medical treatments and supplies like breast pumps, reading glasses, acne face washes and even certain massage guns.

The only catch: You have to designate how much you want to put in your FSA account at the start of the year and with most plans those funds expire on December 31st of the same year. So, if you have a FSA account, that means you only have a few weeks left to use up any money that remains.

To help make sure you don’t lose any money you’ve stashed away, we gathered a list of FSA-eligible products that are available on Amazon right now.

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You can purchase FSA-eligible products anywhere, but Amazon makes it particularly convenient. Not only do Prime members get fast, free shipping on many products, Amazon has an FSA store that makes it easy to see what is covered. Below, I rounded up a variety of FSA-eligible products from Amazon. Everything on this list has either been recommended by experts in previous stories, comes highly recommended by NBC Select editors or has at least a 4-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.

Theragun Prime

Yes, you really can use your FSA funds for a massage gun. And, in fact, if you have a sizable amount of money left in your account, it could be a smart purchase before year’s end. Experts have told us this one from Theragun is quiet and that the built-in five speeds allows for a more customized massage. You can also download the Therabody app, which integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit and recommends guided wellness routines based on your behaviors.

Differin Acne Treatment Gel

This won an NBC Select Wellness Award for best acne treatment. It has 0.1% adapalene, an over-the-counter retinoid that’s commonly used to treat acne because it can reduce inflammation and clean pores, according to the brand. NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson says it’s gentle while still being effective.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Wash

Experts recommended this salicylic acid cleanser in our guide to the best products for acne-prone skin. It has LHA (lipohydroxy acid), which dermatologists told us is gentle on the skin. The formula’s also free of oils, fragrances and parabens, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin, according to the brand.

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch

“I like that these are a little more translucent than other patches I’ve tried because they blend well with my skin tone and don’t scream ‘hey I’ve got a pimple,’” says NBC Select’s editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. These patches rely on hydrocolloid gel to draw out any oil and bacteria from pimples.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm

This mineral lip balm, which we included in our guide to the best SPF lip balms, is made with zinc oxide to physically block the sun’s rays. But it doesn’t just protect your lips from the sun, it has sweet almond oil to hydrate skin as you wear it, according to the brand.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Both dermatologists and NBC Select staffers recommend this face sunscreen. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says it’s particularly good for those with certain skin issues. “I have really bad rosacea, so many skin care products I try leave my skin looking red and create a burning feeling,” she says. “This is the only sunscreen I’ve ever tried that doesn’t irritate my skin at all.” The oil- and fragrance-free formula is non comedogenic and has niacinamide to soothe skin, according to the brand.

Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-up Treatment

While not all face and body products are FSA-eligible, those directly associated with helping with certain issues are — like this cream, which made our list of best lotions for eczema. It calms irritated skin and has a cooling sensation, which experts told us can further calm flare-ups. The lotion’s considered safe for children and babies 3 months and older, according to Eucerin.

Neosporin Original Antibiotic Ointment

You can use this antibiotic ointment on scrapes and cuts to prevent bacterial infection. Experts also told us it’s helpful to apply it to blisters for the same reason. It’s made with bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate and polymyxin, which all help to prevent skin infections, according to the brand. You should use it after cleaning a wound and before a bandage is put on.

Zentoes Gel Toe Separators

Dealing with bunions? Podiatrists recommended these toe separators to ease the pressure of the bunion by straightening the big toe. They’re washable and reusable and made of flexible gel that’s comfortable and soft against the skin, according to the brand.

Debrox Ear Wax Removal Kit

In our guide on how to clean your ears, experts warned us about being careful not to try and dig wax out of your canals because it can be damaging. This kit comes with drops that have cerumenolytic agents, which help soften and loosen excess earwax so it comes out more easily. It also comes with a soft, rubber bulb syringe that you can place at the opening of your ear to suck out the solution and softened wax.

Crab Claw Cervical Neck Traction Device

Experts have told us that cervical traction — meaning devices that help stretch the neck — can ease neck pain. During our reporting, experts also recommended this cervical neck traction device since it can be good for different levels of pain. It inflates to gently stretch and straighten your neck, is made from vegetable fleece that’s soft on the skin and you can easily adjust the tightness of it when you put it on by using the velcro straps.

Lamisil 1% Athlete’s Foot Cream

One of our favorite treatments for athlete’s foot, you can use this antifungal cream twice daily for a week to eliminate athlete’s foot. The main ingredient is Terbinafine Hydrochloride, which specifically targets and kills fungus, according to the brand. Apply it to clean feet and only use it on infected areas.

Sunbeam XL Heating Pad

You can use heating pads for a variety of things — including soothing sore backs, menstrual cramps and more. Doctors recommend this option from Sunbeam in our roundup of the best heating pads because it’s budget-friendly and large enough to cover bigger areas of the body. It has a nine-foot cord, a two-hour auto shut off, and a slide-button controller with three heat settings, according to the brand.

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Extra Strength

NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin keeps these nasal strips, which work by opening up nasal passageways for easier breathing, at home because she suffers from allergies, which can cause congestion and lead to snoring. “The nasal strips come in a pack of 26 and their adhesive has never irritated my sensitive skin,” she says. “I find that they usually stay in place overnight, too.”

Renu Contact Lens Solution Advanced Formula

I’ve been wearing contact lenses for nearly 25 years and this has been my go-to solution for at least a decade. I find it to be gentle on my eyes and I don’t need more than a drop or two to moisturize my eyes after I’ve been wearing my contacts all day. This saline solution is hydrating and can also clean your contacts if they get smudged or dirty. The box comes with two 12-ounce bottles of solution and a plastic lens case.

Johnson & Johnson Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit

Ideal for your medicine cabinet or for keeps in your car trunk, this 80-piece first-aid kit comes with everything you might need for minor wounds — like bandages, Neosporin, Tylenol and gauze. Everything is housed in an easy-to-carry, organized case. It has a 4.8-star average rating from 8,731 reviews on Amazon.

Viproud Thermometer

Few things are harder than trying to take the temperature of a sick toddler. This thermometer makes it much easier. You can hold the no-touch model away from the forehead and will still give an accurate reading. I’ve used it with my 3-year-old and can attest to how quick and easy it is to use. In fact, rather than fighting me, my daughter likes to get in on the action and help take her own temperature. Not only does the digital screen give you the exact temperature, it glows green if there is no fever, yellow if there is a mild fever and red if there is a moderate or high fever.

I’m a contributor at NBC Select, who regularly covers various beauty, home and lifestyle topics. For this story, I rounded up FSA-eligible items that are recommended by experts and NBC Select staffers.

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