A skincare routine app for the products you already own

Your product shelf: scan a barcode or take a photo

It starts with the shelf: a list of the products that are actually in your bathroom. Scan a barcode and Closie looks the product up in its own catalogue and in the open Open Beauty Facts database. If it is not there, or the pack has no barcode, take a photo of the label: AI reads the name, brand and ingredients, and you just check them. Data from the database and from labels can be incomplete, so you can always edit it. A few minutes later you can see your whole routine in one place, including the jar that has been hiding at the back of the drawer.

A morning and night routine, planned across the week

For each product you set how often you use it: every morning, every night or, say, twice a week. Closie builds today’s plan from that, plus a weekly plan that spreads masks and exfoliants across different days instead of stacking them on one evening. Your routine steps show up in the morning and evening outfit notification, so you do not need a separate reminder app. Tick off what you have done and that is it. If you are unsure about the order, the blog covers the general rule: thinnest texture to thickest, with sunscreen last in the morning.

• Today’s plan: morning and night steps from your own products
• Weekly plan: masks and exfoliants spread over the week
• Routine added to your morning and evening notification

Use-by dates after opening

Many products carry an open-jar symbol with a number of months, such as 12M. That is the PAO: how long the manufacturer recommends using the product once it is open. Hardly anyone remembers when they opened a moisturiser. In Closie you enter the opening date, and the app uses the PAO to estimate when to finish it and shows what runs out first. It is an estimate, not a guarantee, but it is enough to stop keeping a three-year-old serum. When you finish something, you tell Closie whether you would buy it again. If you would, it goes on your shopping list.

Ingredient facts, not verdicts

An ingredient list (INCI) can be long and hard to read. Closie shows simple facts for each product: whether it contains fragrance, which actives it has, and whether there is alcohol or essential oils. It does not label products good or bad, because what suits one person may not suit another. What you can do is mark ingredients you prefer to avoid, and Closie will highlight them in every list, including products you are thinking of buying. Your avoid list and skin profile stay on your phone only. Closie does not ask about your health, allergies or medication.

Toiletry bag for trips and Smart Buy for skincare

Skincare works with the trip planner. When you plan a trip, Closie takes the products from your routine for those days and builds your toiletry bag, with a note for carry-on luggage and a sunscreen reminder when the forecast says sun. Before buying something new, use Smart Buy to see whether you already own something similar and whether the ingredients include anything on your avoid list. It is the same feature that stops you buying a fourth black jumper, applied to your bathroom shelf.

What it costs and what it does not do

Skincare is part of Closie Plus, which costs $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year on the US App Store; other countries see their local price in their store. On the free plan you only see a preview. If your store offers it, the annual plan can start with a 7-day free trial. If your subscription ends, your products, plan and ticks stay in the app, but you cannot add new products. One important note: Closie Skincare is not a medical device. It does not analyse your skin or face, diagnose or treat anything. It helps you organise the products you already own. If you have a skin condition or allergy, or you are pregnant, ask a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist about the products you use.

How to start your skincare plan in Closie

1. 1

   Download Closie and turn on Closie Plus

   The app is free on iPhone and Android, and Skincare is part of Closie Plus.

2. 2

   Add products to your shelf

   Scan the barcode or photograph the label, then check the name and ingredients.

3. 3

   Set how often you use them

   Morning, night or a few times a week. Closie builds your daily and weekly plan.

4. 4

   Enter opening dates

   Closie uses the PAO symbol to estimate when to finish each product and shows what runs out first.

Skincare routine app: FAQ