In today’s beauty industry, it can be difficult for underrepresented women of color to find products that are specifically tailored to their unique needs. However, Rafaela Gonzalez is changing that. Her Gloryscent skin-care line is a reflection of her own self-love and desire to cater to women who have been overlooked by mainstream beauty brands.
Growing up, Gonzalez was all too familiar with Eurocentric beauty standards. Her textured hair and darker skin often made her feel self-conscious. So, upon creating Gloryscent, Gonzalez made it her mission to prioritize women of color and create a brand that puts them first.
This “pro-melanin skin-care brand” not only centers women of color but also focuses on providing safe and clean beauty products. During the process of creating Gloryscent, Gonzalez discovered that many products marketed towards women of color contained toxic ingredients. In response, her brand’s mission expanded to include “inclusivity in clean beauty,” providing women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
Inspired by her Caribbean roots, Gonzalez infuses many of her products with natural ingredients found on her “beautiful island.” She highlights ingredients like neem oil, derived from trees she grew up seeing on the island. Additionally, Gloryscent products feature arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng to soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
Rather than just offering one or two products, Gonzalez curated an entire skin routine to provide customers with a full array of clean beauty options. Though she lacked formal training in skin-care formulation, Gonzalez found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace, eventually learning how to source ingredients for her products.
In an industry that often exploits women of color and sidelines their beauty needs, Gonzalez is working towards empowering women to love themselves and make the best choices for their wellness. She is committed to awareness and education, exemplified by her “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty” speaking series that features interviews with various founders and organizations that bring attention to the toxic ingredients in many self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color.
Overall, Gonzalez and Gloryscent are leading a charge for clean, safe, and inclusive beauty products that cater to women of color. This important movement brings much-needed attention to the needs of underrepresented communities and emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-care for all.
