Rafaela Gonzalez: Empowering Women of Color Through Clean Beauty
Rafaela Gonzalez’s story starts with her feeling self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin growing up. The European standards of beauty that she was exposed to often left her feeling like she didn’t measure up. However, her journey of self-love and acceptance led her to create Gloryscent, her own pro-melanin skincare line aimed at empowering women of color through clean beauty products that prioritize health and wellness without compromising on effectiveness.
Gloryscent’s mission is fueled by the conviction that women of color need a brand that centers them as the inspiration, not an afterthought. Rafaela’s journey of learning to love and honor her roots, specifically her Dominican ancestral home, served as the basis for many of her products. She took inspiration from the natural beauty of the Caribbean to create a line that offers safer and cleaner beauty products without harmful ingredients. Gonzalez learned that the majority of products catering toward women of color contained toxic chemicals, which were taking a severe toll on their skin.
Gloryscent’s mission expanded beyond centering women of color to inclusivity in clean beauty. As stated on their website, “We want to offer women of color clean, effective, and convenient skincare products that promote wellness, self-love, and empowerment.” Their products are infused with natural ingredients that soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines.
One of the stand-out products from the Gloryscent line is the Behold Brightening Balm. This newly developed balm is made with neem oil derived from trees in the Dominican Republic that Rafaela saw frequently growing up. This oil is celebrated for its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles while softening the skin. Gloryscent customers also have access to the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, the Total Body Serum, the Urbana Elixir, and the Manketti Oil Serum, all made using natural elements.
Rafaela’s passion for serving underrepresented women by offering a complete skincare routine rather than just one or two products sets Gloryscent apart. Before creating Gloryscent, she had no formal training in skincare product formulation. Still, she found an online school where she could study at her own pace to learn how to formulate her skincare line. This effort paid off, with Gloryscent now offering an entire collection of the healthy, nutrient-packed products that define the brand.
With inclusivity as its guiding principle, Gloryscent aims to offer healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream beauty products. It is also committed to providing education and empowerment to enable women of color to make the best choices for their wellness. One of the brand’s significant achievements is having Gloryscent products in JCPenney stores, thanks to the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which helps boost the visibility of POC-owned brands.
Gloryscent’s commitment to educating and empowering women of color is evident in the “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty” series that they host. The series features interviews with various founders and organizations that highlight the impact of toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The intention of the series is to educate consumers, not fearmonger since knowledge is power.
In conclusion, Gloryscent’s founder, Rafaela Gonzalez, has created a skincare line that aims to empower, educate, and uplift women of color through inclusive clean beauty products infused with natural ingredients. The brand’s commitment to offering a complete skincare routine and empowering women of color sets them apart in a beauty industry that often overlooks this community. With Rafaela’s passion and commitment to serve underrepresented women, Gloryscent brings healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and damaging active ingredients in mainstream beauty products while uplifting women of color.
