Gloryscent: A Groundbreaking Melanin-Centered Skin-Care Brand
Rafaela Gonzalez grew up feeling out of place in a world that celebrated European beauty standards. She was self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin, which made her feel like she didn’t fit the mold of what was considered beautiful. Her journey towards self-love and acceptance led her to create Gloryscent, a pro-melanin skin-care brand that caters to the needs of underrepresented women of color in the beauty industry.
Gloryscent is a brand that has a dual mission – to center women of color and to provide them with safe and clean beauty products. During the process of creating Gloryscent, Gonzalez found that the majority of products that were marketed towards women of color contained toxic ingredients. Her brand’s mission expanded to stand for “inclusivity in clean beauty,” offering 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. By highlighting ingredients from her ancestral home, Gonzalez hoped to honor her “beautiful island.” From neem oil to arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng, Gloryscent’s products soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
Gloryscent’s product line is vast, covering everything from facial care to body care. Some of the standout products include the Behold Brightening Balm, a product that reduces hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while softening the skin, and the Total Body Serum, which is packed with natural elements to leave your skin glowing.
What sets Gloryscent apart from other skincare brands is its focus on inclusivity. The brand offers products that cater to the skincare needs of women of color, which are often overlooked in the industry. Gonzalez’s goal was to bring awareness to healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves. Her aim was to provide education and empowerment to enable women to make the best choices for their wellness.
In recent years, the brand has achieved significant growth, and Gloryscent is now available in JCPenney stores across the country. This move was facilitated through Thirteen Lune, an e-commerce site that aims to boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. Gonzalez considers this partnership a “huge” accomplishment, but her commitment to inclusivity shows in her latest project – a speaking series titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.”
The series consists of interviews with various founders and organizations, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The initiative aims to educate women about the health implications of certain ingredients and empower them to make informed decisions about their skincare.
Knowledge is power, and Gonzalez knows this. At its core, Gloryscent strives to uplift women of color, providing them with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. In an industry that often exploits women of color and sidelines their beauty needs, Gloryscent’s mission is a breath of fresh air.
In conclusion, Gloryscent is a groundbreaking brand that has managed to make inclusivity and diversity its core values. The brand’s products take inspiration from the founder’s Dominican roots and are made with natural elements that provide women of color with safe and effective skincare. Gloryscent’s success is more than just a business achievement – it is a testament to the importance of representation and inclusivity in the beauty industry.
