Gloryscent: Clean Beauty for Women of Color
As the beauty industry becomes more inclusive, many brands have made an effort to cater to the needs of women of color. However, some companies still fail to provide safe, effective, and clean beauty products that cater to the unique needs of this demographic. This is where Gloryscent comes in. This pro-melanin skincare brand is changing the game by offering products that are not only effective but also safe and clean.
Gloryscent was founded by Rafaela Gonzalez, who wanted to create a brand that celebrated women of color, who are often an afterthought in the beauty industry. Growing up, Gonzalez was self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin, which did not conform to European standards of beauty. This experience eventually led her to create Gloryscent, a brand that centers women of color and offers them products that cater to their specific needs.
However, the inspiration behind Gloryscent goes beyond just providing for women of color. Gonzalez discovered that many products marketed to this demographic contain harmful and 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.
Gloryscent prides itself on using natural and organic ingredients to create their products. Gonzalez took inspiration from her Caribbean roots to serve as the basis for many of her products. By highlighting ingredients from her ancestral home, Gonzalez hoped to honor her “beautiful island.” For instance, her Behold Brightening Balm contains neem oil, which is derived from trees that Gonzalez grew up seeing on the island.
Moreover, the brand offers a range of products to create an entire skincare routine. Gonzalez believes that if someone wants to transition to clean beauty, they should have the entire collection. She says, “I felt it was necessary to create and offer a skin routine rather than just one or two products.” The brand’s extensive skincare line includes the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, all made using natural elements to provide effective care.
Gonzalez faced the challenge of figuring out how to create these nutrient-packed skincare products without formal training in the subject. Still, she found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace. This is where Gonzalez says she learned how to begin the process of sourcing her own ingredients.
Gloryscent’s mission of effective care is to provide women of color with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products while also uplifting these women as they are. Gonzalez states, “I’m working towards bringing awareness to healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves. I’m hoping to provide education and empowerment to make the best choices for their wellness.”
Gonzalez’s biggest achievement was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores last year, which was done through the Thirteen Lune eCommerce site, helping boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. This year, she’s particularly proud to be hosting a speaking series regarding inclusivity in clean beauty named “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.” The series features interviews with various founders and organizations that highlight the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color.
Gloryscent stands as an inspiration for all beauty brands out there. It shows that with a pure heart and a passion for providing effective care to women of color, anyone can make a difference in the world of beauty. By creating products that celebrate and uplift women of color, Gonzalez has revolutionized the industry and has set a standard for inclusivity in clean beauty. Her initiative and dedication to her brand and clientele have undoubtedly made Gloryscent a force to be reckoned with in the world of skincare.
