Rafaela Gonzalez, the founder of the pro-melanin skincare brand, Gloryscent, has always been passionate about creating a brand that centers women of color. The brand’s mission is to provide inclusivity in clean beauty by offering products that are safe, effective and catered towards women of color.
Growing up, Rafaela was often self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin as a result of the European standards of beauty. This experience led her on a journey of self-love and acceptance, becoming the motivation for creating the brand Gloryscent.
In today’s beauty industry, women of color are often sidelined, with the majority of the products that cater to them containing toxic ingredients. Rafaela discovered this reality during the process of creating Gloryscent which led to expanding the brand’s mission to provide inclusivity in clean beauty. The aim is to provide women of color with access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
Gloryscent is inspired by Rafaela’s Caribbean roots, and she highlights ingredients from her ancestral home in many of her products, honoring her “beautiful island.” Ingredients such as neem oil derived from trees that she grew up seeing on the island, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng are incorporated into the brand’s products. These natural additives soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
One of the brand’s most significant achievements was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores last year, which helped to boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. Additionally, the brand’s commitment to raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed towards Latinx women and other women of color led to the creation of a speaking series titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.”. The series features interviews with various founders and organizations who highlight the importance of this issue. “Knowledge is power,” says Rafaela.
With the lack of resources at her immediate disposal, Rafaela found an online school where she could work towards obtaining her diploma at her own pace. Although the initial hurdle of formulating challenged her, she maintained it was necessary to bring women the effective care that Gloryscent now provides. The brand’s mission is not to exploit women of color but to provide them with healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often-damaging active ingredients in mainstream products while also uplifting them as they are.
Creating a skincare routine is crucial for anyone transitioning to clean beauty. Hence, Rafaela felt it was necessary to create and offer a skincare routine rather than just one or two products. This decision led to the development of the brand’s Behold Brightening Balm, Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, all of which are created using the natural elements mentioned earlier.
In conclusion, Raphaela Gonzalez has successfully created an inclusive brand that prioritizes the needs of women of color. The Gloryscent brand is not only about skincare, but it’s also about educating and empowering women to make the best choices for their wellness. The brand’s commitment to inclusivity and clean beauty has been the driving force behind everything it has achieved thus far.
