Gloryscent is a pro-melanin skincare brand that seeks to address the beauty industry’s failures to represent and serve women of color. The brand also focuses on providing women with safe and clean beauty products, creating a brand that centers and inspires WOC rather than being an afterthought. It is the brainchild of Rafaela Gonzalez, who was inspired to create it based on her own experiences growing up.
Gonzalez, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, took inspiration from her Caribbean roots in creating the Gloryscent line. By highlighting ingredients from her ancestral home, Gonzalez hoped to honor her “beautiful island” and create an inclusive brand that provides women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
The negative impact of toxic ingredients on women of color
During the process of creating Gloryscent, Gonzalez learned that the majority of products catered toward women of color contained toxic ingredients. One study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that the negative impact of such chemical exposure is disproportionately impacting these consumers in comparison to white women.
Natural additives such as neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng are used in Gloryscent products to soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines. Neem oil, for example, is found in the newly developed Behold Brightening Balm, which is specifically designed to reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while softening the skin.
Creating a full skincare routine for customers
Gloryscent offers a complete skincare routine that includes the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum. According to Gonzalez, the brand’s mission 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. “I’m working towards bringing awareness to healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves,” she says. “I’m hoping to provide education and empowerment in order for them to make the best choices for their wellness.”
Gonzalez’s biggest achievement and new speaking series
Last year, Gonzalez’s biggest achievement was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores, which was done through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which helps boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. She still deems this a “huge” accomplishment, but this year, she’s particularly proud to be hosting a speaking series regarding inclusivity in clean beauty.
The series, titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty”, will feature interviews with various founders and organizations to highlight the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. According to Gonzalez, the series is intended to educate, not fearmonger. “Knowledge is power,” she says.
Conclusion
Gloryscent is a remarkable brand that seeks to inspire and uplift women of color while providing them with safe and clean beauty products. Rafaela Gonzalez’s commitment to creating a brand that centers and honors women of color and their beauty needs is truly inspirational. It is refreshing to see a brand that is committed to inclusivity and diversity in the beauty industry, and Gloryscent is definitely one to watch.
