Enzyme cleansers exfoliate mature skin by digesting dead keratin at a near-neutral pH instead of scrubbing or acid-stripping it, making them one of the gentlest ways to speed cell turnover after fifty. In this longer sit-down Nikol walks through her complete fall beauty routine in three parts: a seven-step enzyme-based skincare ritual, a quick monochromatic eye look built around the matte Strong Brew palette, and a timeless fall style edit centered on suede, camel, and burgundy rather than trend-chasing.
Key takeaways
- Enzyme cleansers use proteolytic enzymes — papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple — to dissolve dead cells without the irritation of physical scrubs or the low-pH demands of AHAs, making them ideal for thinning, reactive mature skin.
- Nikol's seven-step fall skincare routine moves from enzyme cleanse to exfoliating pads, vitamin C serum, eye treatment, nourishing cream, lip exfoliation with a polish, and a sheer mineral SPF 50 stick that goes on without a heavy white cast.
- The matte Strong Brew palette creates a soft, monochromatic neutral eye with minimal fallout — mid-tone on the lid, deepest shade in the crease, lightest shade on top, blended with a smudge brush.
- Lip exfoliation becomes critical as skin matures because dry, flaky texture shows immediately under lipstick and gloss; a gentle scrub followed by a hydrating balm solves the problem in seconds.
- Frownies facial patches offer a needle-free alternative to Botox — Nikol has used them nightly for nearly two years to soften forehead lines by retraining the muscles at rest.
- Timeless style means shopping your own closet first, doing regular hard edits, and investing in pieces — suede jackets, camel capes, burgundy cashmere — that carry season after season rather than chasing what an article calls "in" or "out."
Grab a coffee, because this is one of Nikol's longer, cozier sit-downs. It moves through skincare, a quick classic makeup look, and a fall styling session, all threaded together by the same message: keep it gentle, keep it simple, and keep it timeless. She has been experimenting with new products — especially a powdered enzyme cleanser that changed her morning routine — and she pairs that gentle-skincare philosophy with a monochromatic Strong Brew eye and a suede-and-burgundy style edit that proves you never need to chase a trend list to look polished.
What makes enzyme cleansers different from regular exfoliants?
Most exfoliants fall into two camps: physical scrubs that buff dead cells away with grit, and chemical exfoliants (AHAs like glycolic acid, BHAs like salicylic acid) that dissolve the lipid bonds between cells at a low pH. Enzyme cleansers sit in a third category. They use proteolytic enzymes — most commonly papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple — that catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in keratin, the protein that makes up dead surface cells. The crucial difference is selectivity: the enzymes act only on dead keratin protein, and once the available substrate is consumed the reaction stops on its own. There is no risk of over-dissolving the way a strong glycolic can if left on too long.
For mature skin this matters a great deal. Cell turnover slows measurably with age, stretching from roughly twenty-eight days in the twenties to forty-five or even sixty days by the fifties. Dead cells pile up, dulling tone and trapping pigment. A gentle enzyme cleanser addresses the backlog without stripping the lipid barrier that already thins with hormonal change. And because enzyme cleansers typically work at a near-neutral pH — unlike AHAs that require an acidic range around three to four — they rarely trigger the stinging, redness, or rebound sensitivity that harsher acids can cause on reactive mature complexions.
The powder format Nikol uses serves a practical purpose too. Enzymes degrade in liquid over time, so a dry powder preserves potency until the moment you add water and activate them. You tip a small amount into your palm, add a few drops of water to form a thin paste, and massage it in. The result is a fresh, full-strength enzyme treatment every single wash — something a pre-mixed liquid bottle cannot guarantee month after month on the shelf.
What is in Nikol's seven-step gentle fall skincare routine?
Nikol's fall routine is deliberately gentle. She has noticed over the past couple of years that her skin responds better to kind, effective steps than to aggressive treatments, so every product in this lineup is chosen to work without irritation. Here is the exact order she follows:
- Enzyme cleanser. She tips a small amount of powdered enzyme cleanser into her palm, adds a few drops of water to create a thin paste, and massages it into damp skin. The enzymes dissolve dead surface cells while the gentle massaging motion boosts circulation.
- Disposable washcloth removal. She uses a soft, biodegradable disposable washcloth to remove the cleanser and any residual makeup. This keeps mascara stains and foundation residue off her good towels and reduces the risk of spreading bacteria back onto freshly cleansed skin.
- Exfoliating pads two to three times a week. She follows with a gentle exfoliating pad that has a textured side and a finger pocket for control. She takes the pad down onto her neck as well — a step most people skip — to address pigmentation and texture below the jawline.
- Vitamin C serum. A vitamin C cocktail goes on next for brightness and antioxidant protection. Vitamin C is one of the most researched topical actives for photodamaged skin, helping to neutralize free radicals and support collagen synthesis.
- Eye serum and cream. She applies an eye serum with a precision applicator, noting that one pump covers both eyes, and follows with a rich eye cream. The eye area has the thinnest skin on the face and shows volume loss and crepiness first, so dedicated treatment here is not a luxury — it is maintenance.
- Nourishing soft cream. A rich face cream goes on last in the treatment phase. Nikol applies it with a small caviar spoon — an inexpensive Amazon find that replaces the tiny spatulas that always go missing — to keep the product hygienic and the routine feeling a little elevated.
- Lip exfoliation plus rose lip balm. She gently exfoliates her lips with a lip polish, removes the residue with the damp corner of a washcloth, and seals with a hydrating rose lip balm. Exfoliating the lips before any color keeps lipstick from settling into dry, flaky patches.
After the seven core steps she applies a sheer mineral SPF 50 stick — a format she was skeptical about until she tried it and discovered it went on smooth, left no white cast, and felt almost weightless under makeup. Sun protection closes every morning routine, non-negotiable.
Why does lip exfoliation matter more as skin matures?
Lips have almost no sebaceous glands, which means they produce very little natural oil to stay supple. As skin ages the already-thin lip tissue loses collagen and moisture even faster, and the result is a surface that dries and flakes quickly. You might not notice the texture on bare lips, but the moment you apply lipstick or gloss the flakes catch pigment and create an uneven, feathery finish that ages the entire face.
Nikol's fix is simple: a gentle lip polish rubbed across the lips with a fingertip or the dry corner of a washcloth, followed immediately by a hydrating balm. She uses a rose lip balm that seals in moisture without a greasy film, so color goes on smooth afterward. You do not need an expensive product to exfoliate — a DIY mix of sugar and honey or olive oil works too — but consistency matters. Making it part of the routine before any lip color guarantees the surface is always smooth when you reach for your favorite shade.
Nikol calls this out as one of the most visible quick-win steps a mature woman can add: the difference between flaky, settling lipstick and clean, polished color is about thirty seconds of gentle scrubbing and a swipe of balm. It costs almost nothing and shows immediately.
How does the simple Strong Brew eye look come together?
Nikol chose the matte, neutral Strong Brew palette for this look specifically because it has minimal fallout — she wanted something quick with almost no cleanup. The palette holds three shades: a soft mid-tone, a deep espresso, and a light highlight, all in creamy matte finishes that layer without going muddy. Here is the step-by-step order she follows:
- Neutralize the lids with eye primer. This is Nikol's number-one tip for mature eyes. Primer evens out discoloration on the lid and gives shadow something to grip, so every shade sits more beautifully and lasts longer. She applies it with an angled concealer brush for precise, thin coverage.
- Sweep the mid-tone shade all over the lid. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, she presses the middle Strong Brew shade across the entire lid as the base color. This establishes the warm, neutral tone of the look.
- Press the deepest shade softly into the crease. She rolls a tapered blending brush into the darkest shade, taps off excess pigment, and presses it into the crease. The key word is softly — she wants definition, not a stark line.
- Place the lightest shade on top and blend. The highlight shade sweeps across the brow bone and inner corner, then a clean smudge brush (what Nikol calls her "eraser") softens every edge so the color disappears gradually into the skin.
- Curl lashes and line with waterproof dark-chocolate eyeliner. She lines just the base of the lashes — not a full rim — and wings the line up slightly at the outer corner for lift. She does not go all the way to the inner corner; a little definition is the goal, not heavy liner.
- Coat lashes with Volume Up mascara and groom brows with milk-chocolate brow mascara. The brow mascara coats her three gray brow hairs and keeps them blended into the arch without plucking them out.
- Build the base. She taps Just Peachy color corrector under the eyes, works in concealer with the dome wand and angled brush, then buffs BB Cream in Light over the skin with a foundation buffing brush for semi-matte, lightweight coverage.
Color comes last: the Classic Beach Glow palette (cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter in one compact) warms the cheeks, and the shea-butter Creme Brulee hybrid bronzer adds soft definition along the jawline and down the neck. Nikol finishes lips with a natural waterproof lip liner in Silk, a neutral lipstick, and a gloss on top. Her tip: if the neutral lip feels too bare, build up the rosy blush instead — a beautiful cheek becomes the focal point and balances a quieter lip.
Which SPF format actually works under makeup on mature skin?
Nikol admits she was skeptical about sunscreen sticks. She assumed a solid stick would drag on the skin, leave a visible white cast, or feel heavy under makeup. She was wrong. The mineral SPF 50 stick she tried (Bloom Effects Tulip Dual Shield and Glow) glided on smoothly, felt almost weightless, and left what she describes as an actual glow rather than a chalky mask. She was so surprised she extended it to her ears and neck on the spot.
Mineral sunscreens use physical UV filters — primarily zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — that sit on the skin's surface and reflect UV radiation rather than absorbing it the way chemical filters do. The stick format has a few practical advantages for mature skin and makeup wearers. First, the solid base tends to contain fewer potentially irritating liquid solvents, which suits reactive, thinner skin. Second, it goes on in a thin, controlled layer that is easy to blend — no pooling in fine lines the way a liquid can. Third, it is water resistant for up to eighty minutes, making it practical for outdoor fall activities. And fourth, the compact size fits in a purse for midday reapplication without messing up the rest of your makeup.
Nikol tested it under her Fiercely Smooth face primer and BB Cream and found the layers played well together — no pilling, no separation, and the glow from the SPF actually enhanced the luminous finish of the base. For anyone who has avoided mineral sunscreen because of the white-cast reputation, the newer sheer-mineral formulas and stick formats are worth a fresh look.
What small extras elevate a mature-skin beauty routine?
Between the skincare steps and the makeup application, Nikol mentions a handful of small products and habits she has worked into her daily life. None of them are expensive, but each one targets a specific concern that gets louder as skin matures:
- LMNT electrolyte drink. She makes one every morning — a scoop in a 32-ounce tumbler with cylindrical silicone ice cubes (so the straw fits down the middle). She started over a year ago after picking one up at Whole Foods on a trip to Napa and has kept the habit because the magnesium and sodium hydrate her from the inside before anything goes on the outside.
- Olive and June cuticle serum. A click-up pen she keeps in her purse. She runs it around each cuticle for targeted hydration without coating her whole hand in lotion — a small fix that keeps nails looking polished between manicures.
- Frownies facial patches. She has used these adhesive patches nightly for nearly two years. They hold the forehead smooth while she sleeps, gradually retraining the muscles that create expression lines. Nikol uses them specifically because she does not do Botox — the patches are her needle-free approach to preserving the forehead, and she says the cumulative results have been worth the consistency.
- Hair mist. She spritzes a scented hair mist before starting makeup so the fragrance sets the mood for the whole routine. It is a small, sensory detail, but Nikol is a firm believer that the ritual of beauty — the smells, the textures, the intentional pausing — matters as much as the products themselves.
- Caviar spoons for cream products. A set of tiny caviar spoons from Amazon (about a dollar apiece) replaces the little spatulas that come with jar products and inevitably go missing. They keep fingers out of the jar and make even a drugstore cream feel like a spa step.
The theme across all these extras is the same as Nikol's core skincare message: small, consistent habits compound into visible results. None of them takes more than a minute, and none of them costs much, but together they keep nails hydrated, skin smooth, hair fragrant, and the forehead relaxed — all without a needle or a clinic visit.
How do enzyme cleansers compare with AHAs, BHAs, and physical scrubs?
Choosing an exfoliation method for mature skin means balancing effectiveness against irritation risk. Each approach works through a different mechanism, targets different skin concerns, and carries different trade-offs. The table below breaks down the four most common methods side by side so you can see where enzyme cleansers fit — and why Nikol has shifted toward them as her skin has become more reactive with age.
| Feature | Enzyme cleanser | AHA (glycolic, lactic) | BHA (salicylic) | Physical scrub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Proteolytic enzymes digest dead keratin protein; reaction self-limits when substrate is consumed | Dissolves intercellular lipid bonds between dead cells at low pH | Same lipid-bond mechanism as AHA but oil-soluble, so it penetrates into pores | Abrasive particles physically buff dead cells off the surface |
| Optimal pH | Near-neutral (5–7) | Low (3–4) for full efficacy | Low (3–4) | pH-independent |
| Best suited for | Sensitive, thin, reactive, or mature skin that cannot tolerate acids | Sun-damaged, dull, or dry skin with surface roughness | Oily or acne-prone skin; congested pores | Resilient, younger skin that recovers quickly |
| Irritation risk | Very low — self-limiting enzyme activity | Moderate — concentration- and time-dependent | Low to moderate — generally less irritating than AHAs | High if over-used or if particles are sharp or irregular |
| Increases sun sensitivity? | Minimal — does not thin living cell layers | Yes — thins the stratum corneum, increasing UV vulnerability | Mildly — less than AHAs | No direct photosensitivity, but barrier disruption possible |
| Suggested frequency for mature skin | Two to three times per week | One to two times per week; start low | One to two times per week | Once per week maximum; many mature skins should avoid entirely |
Enzyme cleansers and AHAs are not mutually exclusive — they work through complementary mechanisms (protein digestion versus lipid-bond dissolution), so dermatologists sometimes recommend using both at lower concentrations on different days for more thorough surface renewal than either approach alone. The key is to never stack them in the same session on mature skin, and to always follow exfoliation of any kind with hydration and broad-spectrum SPF.
What are the most common enzyme skincare mistakes on mature skin?
Enzyme cleansers are forgiving compared to acids and scrubs, but there are still ways to undermine your results or irritate skin unnecessarily. These are the mistakes Nikol sees most often — and that the dermatological research backs up:
- Reaching for a physical scrub when an enzyme cleanser would be gentler. Harsh walnut-shell or apricot-pit scrubs create micro-tears in thinning mature skin. If your skin stings, reddens, or feels tight after cleansing, the exfoliant is too aggressive — switch to an enzyme formula and let chemistry do the work.
- Storing powdered enzyme cleansers in a humid bathroom. Moisture activates the enzymes prematurely and degrades them in the container. Keep the jar sealed and in a cool, dry spot — a bedroom vanity or a linen closet works better than a steamy shower shelf.
- Mixing the paste too thick. A thin, slightly watery paste gives the enzymes maximum surface contact. A thick, gritty blob sits on top of the skin instead of dissolving into it, wasting product and reducing effectiveness.
- Skipping the neck during exfoliation. Nikol takes her exfoliating pads down below the jawline every time. The neck shows pigmentation, texture, and crepiness just as much as the face — often more, because most people neglect it — and enzyme exfoliation helps even that tone.
- Over-exfoliating — more than three times per week on mature skin. Even gentle enzymes strip the barrier if used daily. Two to three sessions per week gives cells time to rebuild between treatments. If you are also using a retinoid, scale enzyme sessions back further.
- Skipping hydration and SPF after exfoliation. Exfoliation of any kind temporarily thins the protective dead-cell layer. A nourishing cream and broad-spectrum sunscreen are non-negotiable afterward — skip them and you invite moisture loss and UV damage into freshly exposed skin.
- Expecting overnight results. Cell turnover after fifty takes forty-five to sixty days per cycle. An enzyme cleanser speeds the process, but visible improvement in tone and texture builds over weeks, not days. Patience and consistency matter more than product strength.
- Stacking enzyme cleansers with strong AHAs or retinoids on the same day. Each one exfoliates through a different pathway, and layering them overwhelms the barrier. Alternate days — enzymes on Monday and Wednesday, AHA or retinoid on Friday — so the skin gets both benefits without cumulative irritation.
What timeless fall style pieces does Nikol recommend instead of trend-chasing?
Nikol read a "five things to invest in for fall" article and used it as a jumping-off point, agreeing with some ideas and gently pushing back on others. Her edit is built on texture and rich, wearable color — and every piece she shows is something she sees herself wearing for years, not one season:
- A cropped suede jacket. Hers is from Talbots with gold buttons — the texture is soft, the silhouette is clean, and it layers over a white shirt or a simple dress. She also pulls out an older Escada piece from consignment that has a suede-like texture, proving you can "shop your closet" for the same look before buying anything new.
- A suede shoulder bag. Her first Giorgio Armani purchase — a chocolate suede bag with embossed branding, magnetic closures, an interior zipper pocket, and a removable strap for shoulder or cross-body wear. She chose chocolate specifically because the neutral carries season after season without feeling dated.
- A camel wool cape. From Alice Walk, a brand Nikol loves for featuring mature women in its advertising. The cape is lightweight, transitional, and hands-free, with interior pockets for a phone and lip gloss. She sees it as an alternative to a blazer or coat — an investment piece that works year after year in camel.
- An iconic top-handle bag in chocolate. A glossy leather Ferragamo bag she chose over a cobalt version because the rich brown works with every outfit in her wardrobe. It comes with a cross-body strap for versatility and has protective feet on the bottom. Her logic: buy the color you will never tire of, not the one that excites you for a month.
- Burgundy (oxblood) cashmere. A Gucci V-neck cashmere sweater she found on consignment for about a hundred dollars. She pairs it with a vintage burgundy Cartier bag bought for their hundredth-anniversary celebration — proof that the color can come secondhand and still look elevated with khakis and a structured bag.
- A classic moto jacket. The article she read said moto jackets are "out" — Nikol disagrees. She styles a soft, buttery Ferragamo moto and a belted navy Veronica Beard version, both bought secondhand. Her stance: a classic moto jacket is timeless, and following a trend list that tells you to abandon it is exactly how closets fill up with regret purchases.
The thread running through all six pieces is the same: invest in quality, choose neutral and rich tones over novelty colors, and prioritize pieces you will reach for next October too. She links affordable secondhand options below each video because she knows not everyone wants to (or can) buy at full retail — and she genuinely enjoys the hunt.
How do you build a closet-first fall wardrobe without overspending?
Nikol's styling philosophy is practical and repeatable. She follows these principles and recommends them to every woman who feels overwhelmed by seasonal trend lists:
- Shop your own closet first. Before buying a single new piece, pull everything out and try it on. Hold a garment up and you might dismiss it; put it on, look in the mirror, and photograph yourself, and you may discover combinations you never considered. Nikol found an Escada jacket in her own closet that reads as suede — no purchase needed.
- Do regular hard edits. Try every piece on, take a photo, and be honest. If it does not make you feel confident, consign it or donate it. Nikol consigns regularly — when things come in, things go out — and the discipline keeps her closet functional rather than overwhelming.
- Save outfit photos in your phone notes. Hold down a photo in your camera roll, copy it, and paste it into a note. Over time you build a visual lookbook of outfits that work. When you are running late for an event and cannot decide what to wear, the lookbook eliminates the panic.
- Invest in timeless pieces, not seasonal trends. A suede jacket, a camel cape, a burgundy sweater, a chocolate bag — these are not fall-2024 trends that expire in January. They are textures and tones that rotate back every autumn. Buy once, wear for a decade.
- Consider secondhand and consignment. Nikol curates affordable secondhand options for her audience after every styling video. She argues that a consignment Gucci sweater for a hundred dollars delivers the same quality and longevity as a four-hundred-dollar retail version — and the environmental footprint is smaller.
The underlying message ties back to the lipstick on Nikol's vanity: figure it out. Do not wait for a trend list to tell you what to wear or a sales associate to build your wardrobe. Know what you own, know what works on your body, invest where it counts, and let the rest go. That confidence — whether it shows up in a suede jacket or a three-shade eyeshadow palette — is what people actually notice.
The bottom line
This video is classic Nikol: gentle, considered beauty and timeless style for mature women, held together by an encouraging "figure it out" spirit. The enzyme cleanser is the standout discovery — a powdered, near-neutral-pH exfoliant that dissolves dead cells without scrubbing or stinging, and that slots into a morning routine in under a minute. The Strong Brew eye takes five minutes and creates a polished, monochromatic look that works from a coffee run to dinner. And the style edit reminds you that the best fall wardrobe is the one already in your closet, supplemented thoughtfully with investment-quality textures in camel, chocolate, and burgundy. Ready to try the look? Browse the eyeshadow palettes, explore lip colors and glosses, or find your everyday base in the face collection. For tools that support a gentle skincare routine, see the brushes and tools lineup.
Frequently asked questions
What is an enzyme cleanser and how does it work?
An enzyme cleanser uses proteolytic enzymes — typically papain from papaya or bromelain from pineapple — to digest the keratin protein in dead skin cells. Unlike AHAs that dissolve lipid bonds between cells, enzymes break down the dead cells themselves. The reaction is self-limiting: once all available dead keratin is consumed, the enzyme activity stops, which makes over-exfoliation much less likely than with chemical or physical methods.
Why do enzyme cleansers come in powder form?
Enzymes degrade over time when suspended in liquid. A powder format keeps them stable and potent until you activate them with water at the moment of use. You tip a small amount into your palm, add a few drops of water to create a thin paste, and massage it in. Every wash delivers a fresh, full-strength treatment — something a pre-mixed bottle sitting on a shelf for months cannot guarantee.
How often should mature skin use an enzyme cleanser?
Two to three times per week is the general guideline for most mature skin types. Cell turnover slows significantly after fifty — from about twenty-eight days per cycle to forty-five or sixty — so regular exfoliation helps, but daily enzyme use can still compromise the moisture barrier. If you are also using a retinoid or an AHA, reduce enzyme sessions to once or twice a week and use them on different days.
Can you combine enzyme exfoliation with AHAs or retinol?
Yes, but not on the same day. Enzymes and AHAs exfoliate through complementary pathways — protein digestion versus lipid-bond dissolution — so alternating them can deliver more thorough surface renewal than either alone. The key is to space them out (for example, enzyme cleanser on Monday and Wednesday, AHA or retinoid on Friday) and to always follow exfoliation with hydration and SPF.
What is the Strong Brew eyeshadow palette?
The Strong Brew palette is a three-shade, matte neutral eyeshadow palette from Nikol Beauty. It holds a soft mid-tone, a deep espresso, and a light highlight in creamy, low-fallout finishes. Nikol uses it for quick monochromatic eye looks — mid-tone all over the lid, deepest shade in the crease, lightest on top — that take about five minutes and transition from day to evening by simply building intensity.
Why does Nikol use Frownies facial patches instead of Botox?
Nikol does not use Botox, fillers, or needles of any kind. Frownies are adhesive patches worn overnight that hold the forehead smooth while you sleep, gradually retraining the muscles that create expression lines. She has used them nightly for nearly two years and credits the consistency for softer forehead lines. The patches work mechanically rather than chemically — they physically prevent the muscle contraction that deepens creases during sleep.
How do you exfoliate lips for better lipstick application?
Gently rub a lip polish or a DIY scrub (sugar mixed with honey or olive oil) across the lips for about ten seconds, then remove the residue with a damp cloth. Follow immediately with a hydrating balm — Nikol uses a rose lip balm — and let it absorb before applying color. This removes the dry, flaky texture that causes lipstick to settle into lines and feather, and it takes less than a minute to do.
What SPF format is best for reapplication over makeup?
A mineral sunscreen stick is one of the most practical formats for reapplication over makeup. The solid base glides on in a thin, controlled layer without disrupting foundation or powder underneath, and it fits in a purse for midday touch-ups. Look for a sheer-mineral formula (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) rated SPF 30 or higher — the newer formulas minimize white cast and often add a subtle glow rather than a chalky finish.
What fall style pieces does Nikol recommend as timeless investments?
Her fall edit centers on six pieces: a cropped suede jacket, a chocolate suede shoulder bag, a camel wool cape, a glossy chocolate top-handle bag, a burgundy cashmere sweater, and a classic moto jacket. She frames each one as a multi-year investment rather than a seasonal trend — the tones (camel, chocolate, burgundy) and textures (suede, cashmere, soft leather) rotate back every autumn, and she recommends buying secondhand where possible to save money and reduce waste.
Do enzyme cleansers increase sun sensitivity like AHAs?
Minimally. AHAs thin the stratum corneum — the protective top layer of dead cells — which increases UV vulnerability and is why dermatologists stress sunscreen after glycolic or lactic acid use. Enzyme cleansers remove dead cells at the surface without affecting deeper living layers, so the photosensitivity risk is significantly lower. That said, any form of exfoliation temporarily reduces the barrier, so broad-spectrum SPF after enzyme cleansing is still best practice.
