Rafaela Gonzalez: Embracing Diversity with Her Skin-Care Line Gloryscent
Growing up, Rafaela Gonzalez was often bombarded with the European ideals of beauty, which left her feeling self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin. But instead of succumbing to societal pressures, Gonzalez turned her struggles into triumphs by launching her own skin-care line, Gloryscent, which is dedicated to serving underrepresented women of color in the beauty industry.
As a “pro-melanin skin-care brand,” Gloryscent is focused on providing women with safe and clean beauty products. During the process of creating her line, 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. Hence, her brand’s mission aims to stand for “inclusivity in clean beauty,” providing women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe, effective, and empowering.
Embracing Her Caribbean Roots
Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez found inspiration from her ancestral home, which serves as the basis for many of her products. Her Behold Brightening Balm ($96), for example, is made with neem oil, derived from trees that Gonzalez grew up seeing on the island. Other salient ingredients the brand features include arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng, which are known to soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
To provide women with a complete skin routine, Gloryscent offers a range of products that cater to different skin types and concerns. The Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($56), Total Body Serum ($63), Urbana Elixir ($54), and Manketti Oil Serum ($62) are all made using natural elements mentioned previously, and together they promote healthier, glowing skin.
Challenges and Triumphs
Creating a healthy, nutrient-packed skin-care line wasn’t easy for Gonzalez. Not having any formal education in the subject, she had to learn everything from scratch, including how to source her own ingredients. “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. But the lack of resources didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream. She found an online school where she could work towards her diploma at her own pace, which helped her to cultivate her own unique style.
In an industry that often sidelines women of color’s beauty needs, Gloryscent’s mission of effective care is to provide them with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. Gonzalez hopes that her line will help uplift and encourage women to love themselves, ultimately providing education and empowerment in order for them to make the best choices for their wellness.
Looking Forward
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 is particularly proud of hosting a speaking series regarding inclusivity in clean beauty. The series, titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” consists of interviews featuring various founders and organizations, high- lighting the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. Knowledge is power, according to Gonzalez, who hopes to empower women with the education and resources they need to make informed choices for their well-being.
Conclusion
Rafaela Gonzalez’s Gloryscent line promotes wellness and inclusivity in the beauty industry, serving as a positive representation of diversity that’s often ignored or denied. By highlighting the Caribbean roots of her products and combining them with clean, safe, and effective ingredients, Gonzalez is helping women of color feel beautiful and confident in their unique skin. Her entire line of products caters to different skin concerns, making it possible for women to have a complete skin routine that’s healthy and nourishing. With her vision and dedication, Gonzalez is challenging the norms of the beauty industry and providing solutions for women who deserve better.
