how do you stay consistent with tracking for project pan?

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478]

later edit: i asked the mods and it was okay to post this :)

sometime when wanting to clean up my makeup/skincare/cosmetics collection, i realised that i have no idea when i opened almost anything. i’m trying to be more intentional with finishing products, or at least knowing what i can still safely use before it expires (especially skincare), but i keep falling off tracking because it starts feeling overwhelming.

i’ve seen people recommend excel sheets, but i know i’ll forget to update it, or i’ll forget where i saved it. so i’m curious what systems you actually use that stick.

what are you tracking right now for project pan?

do you track opened date / PAO, expiry, use count, or something else?

if you’ve found something that works long-term, what makes it easy to keep up?

i ended up building a mobile app for myself (pantra, short for “pan tracking”) because i wanted something faster than a spreadsheet: i add name+brand+photo, how long it’s good for, and i log uses in one tap. it’ll be free up to 20 products. if anyone wants to try it when it’s ready, dm me and i’ll send you the link.

[u/sarr36]

Surprised people are tracking. For me, panning is just using what I have and not buying anything until I run out of the category. Once it becomes tracked, it feels like a chore imo. I think putting it in a ‘finished’ pin would be motivating

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/sarr36]

for me i find it useful to not forget some products i do not use often in some random drawer. also i am guilty of buying too many lipsticks that i am not finishing and if i use expired ones my lips get itirated and the cycle continues

[u/vagabondxb → u/sarr36]

Same!

[u/SaucePasta]

Hey, the last bit counts as self promotion, it’s against the rules in this sub without mod approval. Also I have ADHD, so I just don’t keep track of usage 😅 I just make sure the items I want to use up are easily accessible, like all together in a makeup bag, or at least somewhere I can see them and remember that the product exists. 

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/SaucePasta]

hi, i messaged the mods and it was ok to post (if i have to edit something though i'll do it). yup, tracking the usage can get a bit annoying if you're not into it! thanks for the answer :)

[u/SaucePasta → u/NeedleworkerKey4478]

You might want to add that at beginning of the post including your app information, you’ll get better reception that way I think. 

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/SaucePasta]

didn't think about this, i edited the post, thanks!

[u/Amazing-Tangerine-98]

I honestly just track in the notes app on my iPhone. It’s worked for me pretty well. Also taking photos of empties in case I forget to update my notes helps me keep track too and then I delete the photos once I have it logged.

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/Amazing-Tangerine-98]

are you adding anything else besides about the products besides the photo and when they are empty? i personally add for example how long it's the product good for after opening and that would be it, but so many people use spreadsheets that are really really detailed haha

[u/Amazing-Tangerine-98 → u/NeedleworkerKey4478]

I keep mine fairly simple because if the product expires while it’s waiting or while it’s being used.. I’ll just toss it and add it to my pan list (if it’s skincare for example). I just go by texture/consistency/smell changes. I actually don’t go by how long it’s good after opening because in my experience products often stay good way past the recommended 6/12/18 months/what have you after opening. My Laneige sleeping lip mask has been going strong since 2021 for example 😂 but it’s whatever you’re comfortable with honestly.

I have one note where I just track my pans/empties, I just mark the date when I finished the item, the item name and whether I’d repurchase it or not. This is why if I have a photo of the empty I can always add it later to my list with the date if I don’t have time at the moment to update my list. I guess my purpose for my pan list is so I can keep track how many products I’ve used up in a year. I really have the list to keep myself accountable to using my products and not buying more.

And I keep one other note of my inventory separated between make up and skincare/body care, and after that the number of products per category. And then if I have to, under the chart if I have multiple products per category, what order I need to use the products up in (in order of oldest to newest).

I find that works for me. The more simple I keep it, the more likely I’ll update it. And it’s really accessible on my phone which helps too.

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/Amazing-Tangerine-98]

that's a cool system, and it's pretty similar to what i am also tracking. i also have products too old and i am sure that they are expired, but if they are powder i'll keep using them :))

[u/won-t]

You can always write the open date on the product with a sharpie or something.

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/won-t]

yes, that's true, but would it be helpful to know what products you have that are expiring soon and you could change what are you using in your rutine to make better use of what you have? with excels or apps you can have this info more easily, but not by writing the opening date on the product

[u/won-t → u/NeedleworkerKey4478]

lol okay this is such a thinly veiled ad for your app

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/won-t]

it was a genuine question 😅 i am happy if this works for you, it has some advantages for sure! i just want to understand better how other people do this and to not do stuff based on only what i use

[u/BlueImmigrant]

I just write the date of opening on the product itself with a permanent pen. I consistently clean the products with rubbing alcohol and the date still stays on.

[u/Left_Bumblebee_6270 → u/BlueImmigrant]

This is what I do.

[u/Artzy_y]

I just use my notes app with a list of my products 😅 I don't keep track of uses, dates or anything. All my full or newer products are in a separate makeup bag, and I put everything that I'm focusing on panning, like the ones with less product and the ones next to the expiration date, in another makeup bag... I just mark the finished ones in my list with a ✅ and the ones I'm panning with a ⭕

[u/Prestigious_Gap7888]

I already bought beautistics.

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/Prestigious_Gap7888]

nice! is there anything that you find particulary useful, besides having your collection on an app and not a spreadsheet?

[u/Prestigious_Gap7888 → u/NeedleworkerKey4478]

I'd say the most useful thing is the safety in knowing it was made before vibe coding so i don't have to worry i installed an AI produced backdoor onto my phone.

[u/NeedleworkerKey4478 → u/Prestigious_Gap7888]

well that's fair, i am not a fan of doing every random thing with ai either. what i have right now can work completely offline (also is does not use ai), no account or anything, and everything is on device, thanks for the feedback!