Gloryscent: A Pro-Melanin Skin-Care Brand with a Mission
Growing up with European standards of beauty, Rafaela Gonzalez often felt self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin. But instead of succumbing to these societal pressures, she embarked on a journey of self-love and acceptance. Today, Gonzalez’s skin-care line, Gloryscent, has become a beacon of hope for underrepresented women of color in the beauty industry.
Gloryscent prides itself on being a “pro-melanin skin-care brand” that centers on women of color and provides them with safe, clean beauty products. Gonzalez’s desire to create this inclusive beauty brand emerged from her own personal experience and struggles with skin-care products that contain toxic ingredients. Unfortunately, many products marketed towards women of color contain these harmful chemicals, which have negative impacts on their health and wellness.
To combat this issue, Gonzalez devised a plan to provide women of color with access to safe and effective health and wellness products. She incorporated her Caribbean roots into the creation of many of her products, sourcing ingredients derived from her ancestral home of the Dominican Republic. The Behold Brightening Balm, which is formulated using neem oil, is one of Gloryscent’s standout products that hearkens back to Gonzalez’s roots while combating hyperpigmentation and wrinkles and softening the skin.
In her journey of self-discovery, Gonzalez not only developed Gloryscent’s mission but also learned how to formulate her skin care products without any formal training in the field. She found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace, which gave her the skills and knowledge necessary to curate an all-natural, nutrient-packed product line.
Gonzalez’s biggest achievement thus far has been earning a spot in JCPenney stores through the Thirteen Lune e-commerce site, which helps boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. Additionally, this year, Gonzalez is particularly proud to be hosting an educational speaking series called “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.” The series will feature interviews with various founders and organizations that highlight the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed towards Latinx women and other women of color.
Gloryscent represents a much-needed solution in the beauty industry’s long history of exploiting women of color and sidelining their unique beauty needs. As Gonzalez continues to promote self-care education and empowerment, she hopes to provide women of color with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients found in mainstream products.
If you’re looking to transition to clean beauty, Gloryscent offers a complete skin-care routine, featuring natural additive ingredients like arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng that soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines. Gloryscent’s brand mission of effective care provides women of color with healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves. With the right ingredients and routine, your skin can flourish, and who knows, you might fall in love with your unique features along the way.
