Beauty is not limited to a single race or culture. The world is a diverse and beautiful place, and the beauty industry must reflect this. Unfortunately, many companies in the beauty industry have been known to exclude people of color in their product lines or target them with harmful ingredients. This is where Gloryscent comes in.
Gloryscent is a pro-melanin skin-care brand that strives for inclusivity in clean beauty. Founder Rafaela Gonzalez created the brand based on her personal journey of self-love and acceptance. Growing up, she was often self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin, feeling like European standards of beauty didn’t accept her. Despite this, she found inspiration in her Caribbean roots and sought to honor her “beautiful island” by infusing natural ingredients from her ancestral home into her product line.
Gloryscent’s mission goes beyond catering to women of color. The brand also focuses on providing women with safe and clean beauty products. During the development of Gloryscent, Gonzalez learned that the majority of products marketed to women of color contained toxic ingredients. One study found that this chemical exposure disproportionately impacts women of color in comparison to white women, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in clean beauty.
Gloryscent’s product line features natural ingredients such as neem oil, derived from trees commonly found in Gonzalez’s home country of the Dominican Republic, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. These natural additives help soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and soften fine lines. Gonzalez has also created a full skin routine rather than just one or two products, reasoning that if someone wants to transition to clean beauty, they should have access to an entire collection.
Gonzalez faced the challenge of formulating effective and nutrient-packed skincare items without formal training in the subject. Despite this, she found an online school that enabled her to work toward her diploma at her own pace. This educational path was necessary to bring women the care provided by Gloryscent.
Considering the beauty industry’s exploitative history toward women of color, Gloryscent’s mission of effective care is a refreshing change. The brand provides healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients found in mainstream products while also honoring and uplifting women of color. Gonzalez is committed to providing education and empowerment that enables women to make the best choices for their wellness.
Last year, Gonzalez achieved a significant accomplishment; having Gloryscent available in JCPenney stores. This was done through the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which aims to boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. This year, Gonzalez is especially proud to have founded the “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty” speaking series. This series features interviews with various founders and organizations, all highlighting the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to women of color. There are currently five episodes available, and more are forthcoming in late spring.
Gloryscent’s mission is more critical than ever. The beauty industry needs to recognize and respect the diversity of its customers. Rafaela Gonzalez and Gloryscent serve as an example of how to center inclusivity and make the beauty industry a more equitable space.
