Rafaela Gonzalez: The Journey to Inclusivity and Clean Beauty
Growing up, Rafaela Gonzalez battled with self-consciousness about her textured hair and darker skin due to European standards of beauty. Now, she is the founder of Gloryscent, a pro-melanin skincare brand that offers safe and clean beauty products for underrepresented women of color.
Her journey towards self-love and acceptance led her to create a brand in which WOC are not the last thought but rather the inspiration. Gonzalez’s brand not only centers around women of color but also focuses on providing them with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
One of the reasons for creating her brand was to address the issue of toxic ingredients found in products catered to women of color. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women of color are disproportionately affected by the negative impact of such chemical exposure compared to white women.
Gloryscent’s mission is to stand for inclusivity in clean beauty, providing women of color with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh chemicals found in mainstream products.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez found inspiration from her Caribbean roots, which she honors by using ingredients from her ancestral home in many of her products. Her Behold Brightening Balm, for example, is made with neem oil, derived from trees that she grew up seeing on the island. The brand also features arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng, among other natural additives, to soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and soften fine lines.
Gloryscent offers a skincare routine rather than just one or two products. According to Gonzalez, transitioning to clean beauty means having the entire collection, and that was her train of thought when creating the brand.
Despite lacking formal training in formulation, Gonzalez learned the process of sourcing her ingredients at an online school, where she worked towards her diploma at her own pace. Her initial hurdle of formulation proved challenging, but thanks to her persistence, the result is the effective care that Gloryscent now provides.
In an industry that often sidelines women of color’s beauty needs, Gloryscent’s mission is to provide them with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products while also uplifting these women as they are.
Gloryscent’s presence in JCPenney stores, accomplished through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, was one of Gonzalez’s biggest achievements last year. However, this year she’s particularly proud to be hosting a speaking series entitled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.” The series will feature 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.
Gonzalez is hoping to provide education and empowerment to encourage women to love themselves and make the best choices for their wellness. She believes that knowledge is power, and her brand is a testament to that.
In conclusion, Rafaela Gonzalez’s story is a testament to the power of self-love and acceptance. Gloryscent, her pro-melanin skincare brand that offers safe and clean beauty products, is a reflection of her journey, and it provides women of color with alternatives to the harsh chemicals that are negatively affecting their health. Her mission of inclusivity in clean beauty has allowed women of color to be the inspiration rather than the last thought in the beauty industry.
