If you have an FSA or HSA account, then you know that those funds that you accumulate over the year don’t roll over to the next – and with just two weeks left in 2025, you may be scrambling to make sure those hard-earned dollars don’t go to waste.
While the purchasing options are endless, some skin care products are also an eligible way to spend these funds. And it’s not just any skin care, but those pricey clinical formulations that you wouldn’t dream of trying normally, despite their renowned reputation for effectiveness.
In fact, nearly every time a clinical skin care product is featured in previous HuffPost coverage, it’s come at the enthusiastic recommendation of at least one or more board-certified dermatologist. If that FSA/HSA money is burning a hole in your pocket, take a gander at the upcoming list of clinically effective formulas (nearly all of which are geared towards anti-aging) that have been recommended, tried and tested.
FSA Store
A tinted sunscreen revered by dermatologists for troubled skin
Several dermatologists throughout our reporting have previously suggested this tinted mineral sunscreen from Elta MD, which can help shield skin from visible UV rays in overhead lighting that could potentially contribute to common skin conditions like melasma.
A great and clinical option for those who have acne or rosacea, the zinc oxide- and octinoxate-based formula features SPF 46 along with high-purity niacinamide, a well-known anti-inflammatory that reduces redness and helps to restore damaged skin.
$47 at Amazon
$47 at Dermstore
$47 at FSA Store
Dermstore
A famed lactic acid treatment that targets fine lines, sun spots and texture
Senior shopping writer, Lourdes Avila Uribe, has been using Sunday Riley’s Good Genes for nearly a decade, and despite testing hundreds of other comparable products, she always comes back to it. “I’m particularly obsessed with the high content of lactic acid, a unique chemical exfoliant that encourages quick cell turnover in the surface layers of the skin, leaving it smoother and helping clear up blemishes,” she said. “It’s paired with licorice and lemongrass in this formula, which can help brighten up the look of dark spots, sun damage and other discoloration, and prickly pear extract that can help soothe redness and calm sensitive skin. It’s the perfect example of a product with a fairly common active ingredient, perfectly formulated with other complementary ingredients to make it even more effective than many other options.”
$85+ at Dermstore
Dermstore
Dr. Dennis Gross’ exfoliating pads that mimic a gentler chemical peel
Previously suggested to HuffPost by board-certified dermatologists, the Dr. Dennis Gross daily peel pads can offer the benefit of a chemical peel, but with a gentler approach than what you might find in a dermatologist’s office. Each treatment contains two pads: one to exfoliate and smooth your skin, and one that provides anti-aging benefits. The pads are pre-dosed with five acids, including glycolic, salicylic and lactic, that each work to reduce dullness and uneven texture, pores and hyperpigmentation.
One Amazon shopper said the following about this well-loved exfoliating treatment: “I loved this more than going and paying $100 for a chemical peel. It definitely improved the texture, skin tone, and overall quality of my skin. I used it every other day for 10 days and I will definitely be purchasing again. You don’t peel, but your skin looks better. I would highly recommend trying it.”
30-pack: $92 at Dermstore
Amazon
A brush-on mineral sunscreen that applies well over makeup
One of the biggest skin care crimes is not wearing sunscreen. The second would be to not reapply every two hours, per the guidance of dermatologists. But if you’re a makeup wearer, then reapplying SPF without ruining your base can be tricky. This brush-on powder by Colorescience is a solution to this dilemma that offers SPF 50 protection and was previously recommended by board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Marisa Garshick.
“It’s hydrating and rich in antioxidants,” she said. “It’s also water-resistant and mineral-based, making it great even for those with sensitive skin, and won’t leave the face or hands looking or feeling greasy.” Available in six shades, this shielding powder leaves a sheer coverage finish that won’t leave a white cast on darker skin tones.
$69 at Amazon
$69 at Dermstore
$69 at FSA Store
Dermstore
A “super” serum that targets multiple signs of aging at once
The iS Clinical Super Serum is an oil-based vitamin C-rich serum that not only has the potential to help reduce typical signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage, but can help to reduce scarring as well. The key is a combination of 15% L-asorbic acid with copper tripeptide growth factors, a protein molecule that stimulates and accelerates skin regeneration and repair. Along with a couple of other ingredients, these two actives work in tandem to stimulate collagen, smooth uneven pigmentation and even promote healing.
$165 at Dermstore
Obagi
A tinted hybrid sunscreen that actually works with warm skin tones
This broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion by Obagi uses a unique hybrid formula, offering both mineral and chemical defense against sun damage, rather than just one or the other. It features what the brand refers to as “thermic micro-shield crystal technology,” which means it reflects and disperses harmful rays that try to reach the skin’s surface. And if you’re someone who has a warmer skin tone who has struggled with sunscreens leaving white casts, this sheer-finish sunscreen has a warm tint that some Obagi customers say has completely replaced their foundation.
$59 at Obagi
Dermstore
The vitamin C serum that needs no introduction
If you’re into skin care, you’ve likely heard people sing the praises of this cult-favorite serum, and with good reason. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum has been hailed by dermatologists for its ability to help lighten fine lines, firm skin, provide environmental protection and brighten a dull complexion. The stabilized formulation means all ingredients are working at the peak of their powers, in tandem with each other, a factor that many market vitamin C formulas have yet to master. C E Ferulic users claim that their skin has never looked better after using this product consistently and that the price is worth it.
$185 at Dermstore
Dermstore
A clinical serum with growth factors for volume loss
I recently asked dermatologists about growth factors — an anti-aging ingredient that can increase collagen and elastin, thicken skin and improve tone and texture — and their favorite over-the-counter products that contain them. SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum was the most suggested and was even referred to as the “gold standard of growth factor serums, according to one expert.
It pumps serums out of two different chambers that work synergistically, the first of which is filled with a growth factor blend sourced from human fibroblast cells (grown in a lab) that maximizes cellular metabolism. The other chamber releases a blend of botanicals and marine extracts that contain collagen-stimulating peptides and hydrators to help further diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Reviewers agree that they see a definitive difference in their skin, with one Amazon customer claiming they no longer feel they need to continue with Botox or filler.
Though tons of reviewers claim that it’s well worth the cost, $295 is a lot to spend on a serum, which means it’s a bonus that it’s FSA/HSA eligible.
$295 at Dermstore
Dermstore
A neck cream with a blend of five peptides
The product lineup from Revision Skincare has been brought to our attention several times before, including when board-certified Dr. Brendan Camp at MDCS dermatology recommended the brand’s Nectifirm firming neck treatment as a good formula to address neck lines, skin crepiness and sagging. He said that it’s formulated with peptides (five different ones to be exact), plant extracts, and antioxidants to make neck skin look firmer and more lifted. It also contains the famed antioxidants vitamin C and E, barley extracts for reducing skin dryness and roughness.
$115 at Dermstore
Dermstore
A peptide-infused neck cream that targets crepey skin and sagging
This peptide-infused formula by SkinCeuticals has been previously recommended by dermatologists to anyone desperate to soften the appearance of deep lines and crepey skin on the neck. It’s a daily cream that, in addition to a triple peptide blend, contains a 0.2% concentration of slow-release retinol, a time-honored ingredient that accelerates the skin’s cellular turnover rate, promoting collagen production. Hydrating seed oils are supplemented with a 5% glaucine complex, a plant-derived ingredient that can support skin’s natural resistance to premature aging.
According to one Neck Repair customer, this product saved them from having a skin-tightening procedure on their neck. “It worked miracles with tightening my neck and reducing fine lines. This is my second bottle,” they said.
$136 at Dermstore
Dermstore
An anti-discoloration serum that can treat melasma
When it comes to treating stubborn melasma, dermatologists have previously suggested this multi-phase treatment by SkinCeuticals that corrects dark spots and hyperpigmentation with a combination of kojic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide, according to experts.
This clinically formulated serum also contains a synthetically derived acid called HEPES that helps to exfoliate skin, and its hydrating glycerin and anti-inflammatory allantoin can keep skin feeling soothed rather than irritated.
$115 at Dermstore
Dermstore
An extra-rich eye cream infused with skin tightening properties
While on a quest to find the best products to treat and prevent crow’s feet around the eyes, board-certified physician’s assistant and skin care founder, Paula Brezavscek, recommended the Lumière Firm Riche eye cream by Neocutis, an eye treatment that’s been suggested to us more than once.
“Peptide-based creams, like Neocutis Lumière Firm Riche, are great for firming and hydrating,” Brezavscek said of this rich and hydrating cream, which contains a proprietary blend of peptides. Peptides, we’ve previously been told by skin care experts, can boost collagen production and elastin in the skin by promoting cellular turnover. This can lead to skin that’s firmer, more plump and softened lines.
Adding to the anti-aging potential, Lumière also features growth factors, another ingredient that may be able to promote collagen production and the skin’s own supply of hyaluronic acid, which is key for hydration. There’s also caffeine, an ingredient with some evidence to support that, due to its antioxidant properties, may aid in reducing the appearance of wrinkles caused by sun damage when applied to the skin.
$125 at Dermstore
Dermstore
A skin-evening and firming neck cream that I use on my entire face
NeoStrata’s Triple Firming neck cream is an FSA/HSA-eligible formula that’s been previously recommended by board-certified dermatologists and claims to target everything from uneven skin tone and texture to loss of elasticity underneath the chin, along the neck and along the décolletage. It features a pro-amino acid and neocitrate formula, an ingredient duo that works in tandem to target volume loss while a non-acid amino sugar tackles unwanted sun damage and discoloration. I have recently started using this as I’ve noticed some volume loss beneath my chin, and I loved how thick and hydrating the formula was that I now use it for my entire face, which is chronically dry.
$88 at Dermstore
Dermstore
An intensive growth factors serum infused with snail mucin
Also in our former coverage on growth factors, previously suggested these individual ampules by Biopelle Tensage, which she called the perfect science-backed skin care product that can visibly address dryness and a dull-appearing complexion.
“[They] feature concentrated growth factor benefits for fast improvement in the appearance of lackluster skin with visible improvement in as little as 24 hours,” she said, adding that these are suitable for all skin types. The intensive serum inside these freshness-preserving ampules also contains glycoproteins and antioxidants, which can help improve skin texture and elasticity and protect skin from premature aging.
$195 at Dermstore
Dermstore
A Dr. Dennis Gross light therapy mask that’s unfortunately worth every penny
This high-end cult-fave light mask uses LED lights over the entire face to target the look of both wrinkles and breakouts. Many brands have their own versions, but Dr. Dennis Gross’ FDA-cleared technology uses a combination of 100 red lights and 62 blue lights that work together to target common skin issues. Red light supports natural collagen production, which helps to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and diminish visible discoloration, scars and damage, while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria, helping shorten the length of breakouts, calm red skin and prevent future breakouts.
$455 at Amazon
$455 at Dermstore
$455 at The FSA Store
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