What Is AmLactin
AmLactin is the lactic acid lotion and cream brand with the green-and-white Daily Nourish pump bottle. You'll find it in the body-care aisle, with formulas for dry skin, rough bumps and cracked heels. A 14.1-ounce Daily Nourish pump is listed at about $20 on the brand's site.
Daily Nourish Lotion contains 12% lactic acid. The Intensive Healing lotion and cream, which used to be called Rapid Relief, have 15%. AmLactin also sells a cream specifically for keratosis pilaris, a foot cream and Calm & Renew moisturizers with 2% lactic acid.
Each one is a moisturizer made with lactic acid, which helps remove dead skin cells as it moisturizes. When a provider recommends one to manage a specific health condition, a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) puts that medical purpose in writing. With it, you can pay for your AmLactin lotion or cream with HSA/FSA funds.
Why AmLactin Qualifies for HSA/FSA
AmLactin qualifies once a licensed provider ties your lotion or cream to a health condition in your letter. IRS Publication 502 defines medical expenses as costs for the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.” Here are five of the common skin conditions a provider can document:
- Keratosis pilaris (KP): Keratin builds up around hair follicles and leaves rough little bumps. Mayo Clinic lists lactic acid creams among products that help remove dead skin cells and moisturize. AmLactin even sells a cream just for it, KP Bumps Be Gone. In a 2015 study of 10% lactic acid cream, the average number of KP bumps dropped 66% after 12 weeks.
- Xerosis (severe dry skin): Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin, which happens when skin loses too much water and oil. MedlinePlus lists moisturizers, especially creams or lotions that contain urea and lactic acid, among the home care a provider may suggest. AmLactin markets its Intensive Healing Lotion, with 15% lactic acid, for very dry, rough or cracked skin. Its Crepe Firming Cream is a 15% lactic acid moisturizer for crepey, dry skin.
- Ichthyosis vulgaris: This condition causes dry, scaly skin. MedlinePlus explains that providers may recommend moisturizing creams containing lactic acid to help skin shed normally and retain moisture. AmLactin's Intensive Healing Cream is its 15% lactic acid cream for extra-dry or severely dry skin.
- Dry, cracked heels: Thick, dry heel skin can develop cracks. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturizing creams containing alpha hydroxy acid among its options for cracked heels. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, and AmLactin's Foot Repair Cream, sold for exactly this, has 15% of it.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Dark spots can appear after a pimple or patch of psoriasis clears, or after a cut or burn heals. The American Academy of Dermatology lists glycolic acid and vitamin C among the ingredients that can fade existing dark spots. AmLactin's Bright & Smooth Serum has a 5% glycolic and lactic acid blend with vitamin C and niacinamide.
Have something that isn't on this list? Your AmLactin still qualifies when your provider documents its use for that condition in your LMN.
How to Get AmLactin Covered With a Letter of Medical Necessity
A Letter of Medical Necessity for AmLactin can come from either of two places:
- Through Crates, typically in under 24 hours. Spend about 2 to 3 minutes filling out a short online health assessment. A licensed provider reviews it and, if you qualify, your letter is issued for AmLactin. For ongoing skin care, your letter remains valid for 12 months and renews each year.
- Through your own doctor, a few days to a few weeks. Book a visit and say you want to buy AmLactin with HSA/FSA funds. Ask your provider to document how a lactic acid moisturizer helps prevent, manage, or reverse your condition. Expect a possible copay for the visit, and check that your provider signed and dated the letter.
How to Buy AmLactin With HSA/FSA Funds
Start with the letter, then buy your AmLactin wherever you like and get your HSA or FSA funds back:
- Get your Letter of Medical Necessity first. Request it through Crates or your own doctor, as above.
- Buy AmLactin anywhere. Whether you shop online or in store, use your personal card and save the itemized receipt showing the item and amount paid.
- Get your funds back. Let Crates file the claim with one-click reimbursement, or upload the letter and receipt yourself. Add the letter and receipt to your tax records whenever you use HSA money for your lotion or cream.
Which AmLactin Products Qualify
AmLactin's lotions, creams and serum all qualify once your letter ties them to your health condition. Here's the current range:
| Product | What it is | HSA/FSA eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Nourish Lotion | Body lotion with 12% lactic acid | Yes, with an LMN |
| Intensive Healing Lotion | Body lotion with 15% lactic acid, ceramides and vitamin E | Yes, with an LMN |
| Intensive Healing Cream | Body cream with 15% lactic acid, ceramides and vitamin E | Yes, with an LMN |
| KP Bumps Be Gone Cream | Cream with 15% lactic acid for keratosis pilaris | Yes, with an LMN |
| Foot Repair Cream | Foot cream with 15% lactic acid for dry, cracked heels | Yes, with an LMN |
| Crepe Firming Cream | Cream with 15% lactic acid, ceramide 3 and vitamin E for crepey, dry skin | Yes, with an LMN |
| Bright & Smooth Serum | Serum with a 5% glycolic and lactic acid blend, niacinamide and vitamin C | Yes, with an LMN |
| Calm & Renew Lotion | Body lotion with 2% lactic acid and ginger root extract | Yes, with an LMN |
| Calm & Renew Butter | Body butter with 2% lactic acid | Yes, with an LMN |
Paying with tax-free HSA/FSA money can save you up to 30%. Take the 14.1-ounce Daily Nourish Lotion at its listed $19.99: if your combined tax rate is 30%, you save about $6 in taxes, so it costs you about $13.99. Your actual savings depend on your tax rates and how you fund the account.
If you're comparing moisturizers, our Vanicream HSA/FSA eligibility guide covers that brand's products.
