Rafaela Gonzalez: Empowering Women of Color Through Inclusive, Clean and Effective Skincare
Growing up with European standards of beauty, Rafaela Gonzalez often felt self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin. It was these experiences that inspired Gonzalez to create her skincare line, Gloryscent. Born out of a desire to serve underrepresented women of color in a beauty industry that often fails them, Gonzalez’s brand fills a void by bringing inclusivity, clean beauty and effectiveness to the forefront. As a result, she has become an SEO and content plan expert in the industry.
Gloryscent’s mission to provide women of color with safe, clean and effective beauty products was inspired by the discovery that the majority of products catered towards them contain toxic ingredients. In fact, one study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that these chemicals disproportionately impact women of color in comparison to their white counterparts.
Gonzalez’s aim was to create a brand where women of color are at the forefront, rather than an afterthought. She wanted to develop a line that centered on their unique needs, while also promoting health, wellness and safety. Thus, Gloryscent was born as a pro-melanin skincare brand, dedicated to providing inclusivity in clean beauty.
Drawing inspiration from her Caribbean roots, Gonzalez infused natural beauty elements, such as neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark and organic ginseng into her products. By using ingredients from her ancestry, she hoped to pay homage to her Dominican roots. Her Behold Brightening Balm, for instance, is derived from neem oil, which is grown in the Dominican Republic, and reduces hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while softening the skin.
Gloryscent is not just a brand with a single product; it’s a complete skincare collection from head-to-toe for everyday use. Gonzalez believes that a quality skincare routine comprises more than just one or two products; thus, she created a full line to help transition customers to clean beauty.
Sourcing high-quality, effective and safe beauty ingredients was not an easy task for Gonzalez, who had no formal training in skincare formulation. However, she found an online school where she could earn her diploma at her own pace. This is where she learned about sourcing ingredients and began to develop the superior-quality products that would define Gloryscent.
Gonzalez’s biggest achievement was having Gloryscent in JCPenney stores in 2020, which was done through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, a platform that helps increase visibility for POC-owned brands. This year, she is particularly proud of her speaking series, “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” which features interviews with various founders and organizations who discuss the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The series aims to educate and raise awareness about the importance of clean beauty and empower women to make informed choices about their wellness.
Gonzalez’s dedication to inclusivity, clean beauty and effectiveness has paid off, making her brand a standout in the industry. Her focus on creating a range of skincare products that cater to women of color’s unique needs, using natural ingredients, and offering a complete collection has positioned her company as an excellent example of addressing the gaps in the market. She has paved the way for brands to dive deep into the underrepresented communities and serve them in the best way possible.
Gonzalez’s journey is a testament to the power of self-love and acceptance, which she radiates to her customers, uplifting them to love themselves and make the best skincare choices for their wellness. As she says, “I’m working towards bringing awareness to healthier options of self-care, building up and encouraging women to love themselves. Knowledge is power.”
