Gloryscent: A Beauty Brand Built on Self-Love and Inclusivity
In a beauty industry that often falls short of serving underrepresented customers, Rafaela Gonzalez is creating a movement that caters to women of color, providing effective and safe beauty products that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Her brand, Gloryscent, is a manifestation of her self-love journey and her desire to provide women of color access to clean and healthy beauty products that honor their unique skin-care needs.
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez was self-conscious about her darker skin and textured hair, which didn’t conform to European beauty standards that dominated the local media. Later, she discovered that most skincare products marketed to women of color were infused with unsafe and toxic chemicals, which often resulted in detrimental health consequences. Determined to create a brand that puts women of color at the center of attention rather than as an afterthought, Gonzalez launched Gloryscent, a pro-melanin skincare brand that emphasizes safe and clean beauty practices.
Gloryscent is more than a skincare line; it’s a statement of inclusivity and respect for natural beauty. By incorporating natural and organic ingredients, Gonzalez addresses common skincare concerns faced by women of color, including hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and skin irritation. Her brand’s mission expanded beyond beauty to inclusivity in clean beauty, advocating for safer and healthier beauty products that are environment-friendly and waste-free.
With a passion for clean and healthy living, Gonzalez infused her Caribbean roots into her skincare products, paying homage to her roots’ natural beauty. Gloryscent’s products contain a diverse range of natural ingredients, including neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng, all of which help soothe, exfoliate and hydrate the skin, enhancing its natural glow and beauty.
Behold Brightening Balm ($96), Gloryscent’s most popular product, is an excellent example of the brand’s commitment to natural beauty. Made with neem oil derived from trees native to Gonzalez’s Dominican home, the balm reduces hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, leaving the skin smooth and radiant. Other popular products include the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($56), the Total Body Serum ($63), Urbana Elixir ($54), and the Manketti Oil Serum ($62), all made with natural elements aimed at providing women of color with a complete skincare routine.
Gonzalez believes that every woman’s beauty routine deserves attention, and that’s why she created a wide range of skincare products that cater to diverse skin types and concerns. She is committed to educating women about the effect of toxic chemicals on their skin and empowering them to make informed choices about their wellness. In her series of interviews titled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” Gonzalez shares her knowledge and expertise in clean and healthy skincare practices, offering insights and tips on how to choose products that are safe, effective, and environmentally conscious.
Inclusivity and self-love are at the core of Gonzalez’s vision for Gloryscent. Her goal is to provide women of color with a complete skincare line that celebrates their unique features and natural beauty, empowering them to make informed choices about their wellness. Through her brand, she hopes to challenge the beauty industry standards and promote a culture of inclusivity, respect, and healthy living.
