In a world where beauty standards are predominantly Eurocentric, it’s easy for people of color to feel self-conscious about their natural features. Rafaela Gonzalez, founder of Gloryscent, can relate to this experience all too well. However, she turned her journey of self-love and acceptance into something even better: a skincare brand that centers women of color and celebrates their natural beauty.
Gloryscent is a “pro-melanin skin-care brand” that provides women of color with safe and clean beauty products. Gonzalez’s mission expanded to stand for “inclusivity in clean beauty,” providing women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective. The brand focuses on using natural ingredients such as neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng, which soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
One of the standout products from Gloryscent is the Behold Brightening Balm, which is made with neem oil and reduces hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while softening the skin. The brand also offers customers the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, all made using natural elements.
Gonzalez’s background is integral to the brand’s inspiration. Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez incorporated Caribbean roots into many of her products. She highlights ingredients from her ancestral home, such as neem oil, which is derived from trees she grew up seeing on the island. This inclusion pays homage to her “beautiful island” and creates a culturally rich experience for her customers.
Creating these healthy, nutrient-packed products was not an easy feat for Gonzalez, who had no formal training in skincare formulation. However, she found an online school where she could work toward her diploma at her own pace. Gonzalez’s lack of resources did not dissuade her vision of creating safe and clean beauty.
The beauty industry often exploits women of color by sidelining their beauty needs. Instead, Gloryscent’s mission is to create healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products while uplifting these women. In an industry that often exploits women of color, her vision is the beacon of hope for self-care devotees.
Inclusivity in clean beauty is not just an idealistic mission for Gonzalez but also a tangible accomplishment. The brand’s biggest achievement last year was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which helps boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. Still, this year, she’s particularly proud to be hosting a speaking series titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” which will be composed of interviews featuring various founders and organizations. These interviews will emphasize the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color.
Knowledge is power, and Gonzalez’s mission is to educate and not fearmonger. The popularity of natural skincare is on the rise, and Gloryscent’s inclusionary vision speaks to consumers who are tired of the industry’s lack of attention to women of color. Through continual education and empowerment, Gloryscent is poised to make waves in the industry, encouraging women to make the best choices for their wellness.
In conclusion, Gloryscent is a skincare brand that not only produces quality products but also stands for inclusivity and representation. Gonzalez’s personal experience with beauty standards that marginalize people of color motivated her brand to provide safe and clean beauty options. The brand centers women of color and celebrates their natural beauty by using natural ingredients such as neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. Gonzalez’s mission to educate and empower is evident from the brand’s success, and it will continue to inspire consumers to make better choices for their self-care routine.
