Gloryscent: Redefining Beauty Standards and Empowering Women of Color with Clean Beauty
In a society where Eurocentric standards of beauty have long been pervasive, women of color have long been marginalized and left to struggle with issues of low self-esteem and self-acceptance. One woman, Rafaela Gonzalez, has made it her mission to empower this oft-overlooked demographic through Gloryscent, a “pro-melanin skincare brand” that is committed to offering safe, clean beauty products that deliver real, tangible results.
Gonzalez understands firsthand the impact that society’s beauty standards can have on a person’s psyche. Growing up, she often felt self-conscious and struggled with accepting her textured hair and darker skin. But through her own journey of self-love and acceptance, she was inspired to create a brand that would help other women of color feel beautiful and confident in their own skin.
Gloryscent’s mission goes beyond simply providing effective skincare products; it’s about inclusivity in clean beauty. Gonzalez discovered that many of the products catering to women of color were loaded with toxic ingredients that were having a disproportionately negative impact on these consumers when compared to their White counterparts. This is why Gonzalez made it her goal to make clean beauty accessible to women of color, ensuring that all Gloryscent products are free from harmful chemicals and made from natural ingredients that deliver results without endangering health.
Gloryscent takes inspiration from Gonzalez’s Caribbean roots, with many of its products featuring ingredients derived from her ancestral home. By highlighting these natural elements, Gonzalez hopes to honor her “beautiful island” and provide women of color with the same kind of nourishing care that she experienced growing up.
One of the brand’s standout products is the Behold Brightening Balm, which is made with neem oil—a key ingredient in many of Gonzalez’s other products as well. Derived from trees that she grew up seeing in her backyard, neem oil has been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while also softening the skin. The Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel is another favorite, thanks to its gentle yet effective formula that cleanses the skin without stripping it of moisture.
Gloryscent’s product line is extensive, offering women of color a full skincare routine that can help them achieve their best skin yet. And while the brand may be relatively new, Gonzalez’s commitment to her customers is already paying off. Last year, Gloryscent was featured in JCPenney stores, thanks in part to the brand’s partnership with Thirteen Lune, an ecommerce site devoted to boosting the visibility of POC-owned brands.
Looking forward, Gonzalez hopes to continue spreading awareness about the importance of clean beauty and providing educational resources to help women of color make informed decisions about their skincare routine. This is why she’s excited to launch her upcoming speaking series, “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” which will feature interviews with various founders and organizations who will highlight the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color.
Ultimately, for Gonzalez, success means empowering women of color to love and care for themselves—in all their beauty and complexity. By creating a brand that centers on their needs and experiences, she’s helping to push the beauty industry to be more diverse, inclusive, and equitable for all.
