Rafaela Gonzalez, the founder of Gloryscent, has created a skin-care line that celebrates and serves women of color by providing them with safe and effective products. Gonzalez’s journey started at a young age when she found herself confronted with European standards of beauty that left her feeling self-conscious and uninspired. Her textured hair and darker skin made her feel like she didn’t fit the mold of what was considered beautiful, and it wasn’t until much later in her life that she would finally begin to embrace her unique features.
Gloryscent was born from Gonzalez’s desire to create a brand that would inspire and represent women of color. Gonzalez wanted to make sure that women of color were not an afterthought but the inspiration and focus of her brand, which is why her company calls itself a “pro-melanin skin-care brand.”
Through her research, Gonzalez discovered that many products marketed towards women of color contained toxic ingredients that were not only harmful but also disproportionately impacted women of color. This discovery led to a shift in her mission: Gonzalez wanted to create clean beauty products that were safe and effective for women of color, which she believed was not only necessary but also overdue.
Taking inspiration from her Caribbean roots, Gonzalez infused many of her products with natural ingredients that highlight the beauty of her ancestral home. For example, the Behold Brightening Balm, which reduces hyperpigmentation and softens the skin, contains neem oil derived from trees that Gonzalez grew up seeing on the island. Gonzalez saw it as a chance to honor her “beautiful island” and empower other women of color to embrace their unique features.
In addition to the Behold Brightening Balm, Gonzalez has created a variety of other products, including the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, all made using natural elements like arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. By creating a full skin-care routine rather than just one or two products, Gonzalez is empowering women of color with the tools they need to take care of their skin and feel confident and beautiful.
Gonzalez faced challenges during the formulation process because she lacked formal training in the subject. However, she found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace. Through this experience, Gonzalez learned how to source her own ingredients and overcome the initial hurdle of formulation to create the effective care that Gloryscent now provides.
Gloryscent’s mission of inclusivity in clean beauty is timely and necessary. Women of color have long been underrepresented in the beauty industry, and their needs and concerns have often been ignored. Gonzalez hopes that by providing healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products, she can uplift these women and encourage them to love themselves.
One of Gonzalez’s biggest achievements was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores, which was done through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site. Gonzalez is also proud to host a speaking series regarding inclusivity in clean beauty, titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” consisting of interviews featuring various founders and organizations.
In conclusion, Gonzalez’s journey to self-love and acceptance has led to the creation of Gloryscent, a skin-care line that celebrates women of color and provides them with safe and effective products. Through her use of natural ingredients and dedication to inclusivity in clean beauty, Gonzalez is empowering women of color to embrace their unique features and feel confident and beautiful.
