Rafaela Gonzalez is a true inspiration. Faced with European beauty standards growing up, she often felt self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin. Her self-love and acceptance journey inspired her to create a skin-care line, Gloryscent, which focuses on serving underrepresented women of color in the beauty industry. Gonzalez’s ultimate goal is to create a brand where women of color are the inspiration rather than an afterthought.
Gloryscent Goes Beyond Just Skin Care
Gloryscent is more than just a skin-care brand. It is a pro-melanin line that centers on inclusivity in clean beauty. When Gonzalez began developing her products, she noticed that many of the skin-care products on the market that were supposedly meant for women of color, contained toxic ingredients. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the negative effects of chemical exposure from these products disproportionately affected people of color compared to white women. This is why, according to Gonzalez, her brand’s mission evolved to provide women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe, natural, and effective.
A Tribute to Her Caribbean Roots
Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez took inspiration from her culture and Caribbean roots to serve as the basis for many of her products. She utilized ingredients from her ancestral home to honor her “beautiful island.” The Behold Brightening Balm, for example, is made with neem oil, derived from trees that Gonzalez grew up seeing on the island.
“When I was a little girl, we had two large neem trees in my backyard. I remember my late grandmother swiping them up into piles when they ripened and fell to the ground,” she says. “It’s very memorable because being from el campo, our parents and grandparents are very serious about keeping the yard clean.”
Natural Adds-ons
In addition to neem oil, the brand features other salient natural ingredients, such as arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. These natural additives help soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and soften fine lines.
Soothing The Mind and Body
Moreover, the brand’s collection is not limited to skincare, as it offers items such as Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, which provide a soothing experience for mind and body.
Brand Philosophy: Creating More Than Just One Product
“I felt it was necessary to create and offer a skin routine rather than just one or two products,” Gonzalez says. “If someone wants to transition to clean beauty, they should have the entire collection. That was my train of thought at the time.” Her brand’s philosophy is well received, especially by women of color, who are often misrepresented in the beauty industry.
The Challenge of Formulation
While creating the healthy, nutrient-packed products that would define the Gloryscent collection, Gonzalez faced the challenge of figuring out the formulation for skin-care products without formal training. “Initially, I was completely unaware of the process of formulation, and there were no physical schools I could locate, and frankly not something I [was] able to do because I was already in college,” she says. Despite this challenge, Gonzalez stands by her brand and claims that the lack of resources at her immediate disposal did not dissuade her, but instead pushed her to bring women the efficient care Gloryscent now provides.
Inclusivity at its Core
In an industry where women of color are often exploited and sidelined, Gloryscent’s mission of inclusivity in clean beauty aims to provide a healthier, tailored alternative to the damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. “I’m working towards bringing awareness to healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves,” Gonzalez says. “I’m hoping to provide education and empowerment in order for them to make the best choices for their wellness.”
Gloryscent’s Achievements
Last year, Gonzalez’s biggest achievement was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores, which was done through the Thirteen Lune e-commerce site. This year, she is proud to be hosting a speaking series called “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” which consists of interviews featuring various founders and organizations, discussing the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The series aims to educate, rather than fearmonger, to highlight the importance of knowing what goes into the products we use.
Conclusion
Rafaela Gonzalez’s journey from facing European beauty standards to having her own brand has not only changed her life but also inspired a multitude of women of color. For her, it’s more than just skin care; it’s about reclaiming and celebrating one’s culture, promoting inclusivity and clean beauty, and educating women about healthier options for self-care. Her storytelling and message are inspiring, and her products allow women of color to take pride in their natural beauty. Gonzalez is truly committed to uplifting women, and we are admirers of her dedication and hard work in the beauty industry.
