Rafaela Gonzalez Empowers Women of Color with ‘Gloryscent’ Skincare Line
Growing up in a society that sets European beauty standards, Rafaela Gonzalez often felt self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin. A beauty industry that often fails to cater to underrepresented women of color only added to her insecurities. However, Gonzalez’s journey towards self-love and acceptance inspired her to create Gloryscent, a skincare line designed to serve and empower women of color.
Gloryscent, which Gonzalez calls a “pro-melanin skincare brand,” not only aims to center women of color but also focuses on providing clean and safe beauty products. During the process of creating Gloryscent, Gonzalez learned that products specifically made for women of color often contain toxic ingredients. As such, her brand’s mission expanded and evolved to stand for inclusivity in clean beauty- providing women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez took inspiration from her Caribbean roots to serve as the basis for many of her products. The Gloryscent collection highlights ingredients from her ancestral home, such as neem oil, which is derived from trees that Gonzalez grew up seeing on the island. Other salient ingredients include arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. These natural additives soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
The Gloryscent collection includes the Behold Brightening Balm, which 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 that are gentle and effective.
Gonzalez felt it necessary to create a complete skincare routine, rather than just one or two products. “If someone wants to transition to clean beauty, they should have the entire collection,” Gonzalez says. While creating this collection, Gonzalez faced the challenge of figuring out the formulation for the skincare items without formal training in the subject. However, the lack of resources did not discourage her. Gonzalez found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace.
In an industry that often exploits women of color and sidelines their beauty needs, Gloryscent’s mission is to provide healthier, tailored alternatives to harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. Gonzalez’s goal is to uplift and empower women to love themselves and make the best choices for their wellness. Last year, Gonzalez achieved a milestone by having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which boosts the visibility of POC-owned brands.
This year, Gonzalez is proud to host a speaking series called “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” which aims to raise awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The series features interviews with various founders and organizations who will highlight the importance of educating the public about harmful ingredients.
Gonzalez’s personal journey towards self-love and acceptance inspired her to create a brand that empowers women of color to feel beautiful inside and out. Gloryscent’s commitment to inclusivity and clean beauty serves as a beacon of hope in an industry that often overlooks the needs and concerns of underrepresented communities.
