Rafaela Gonzalez’s Gloryscent: Inclusivity in Clean Beauty
Rafaela Gonzalez is a woman of color who grew up feeling self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin because of European standards of beauty she confronted. But Gonzalez has learned to love and accept herself, and Gloryscent, her skincare line, is the reflection of that journey. It started as a brand that centers women of color, to provide them with clean and safe beauty products, but it evolved into a mission that upholds inclusivity in clean beauty.
The beauty industry has often failed women of color because toxic ingredients are present in many products marketed to them. One study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that chemical exposure from beauty products negatively impacts women of color more than white women. Gonzalez believes that access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective should be made available to all.
Gloryscent is a pro-melanin skincare brand that features natural and organic elements, such as neem oil, arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng. These ingredients soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines. Gonzalez took inspiration from her Caribbean roots, and neem oil was derived from trees that she grew up seeing on the island. The brand also aims to honor women of color by making them its inspiration rather than an afterthought.
Behold Brightening Balm ($96), Total Body Serum ($63), Urbana Elixir ($54), Manketti Oil Serum ($62), and Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($56) are the five products included in the Gloryscent collection. Gonzalez believed that a complete skincare routine is necessary, and transition to clean beauty should be made possible by providing the entire collection. The added challenge in creating these products is that she had no formal training in formulation. But she found online schools and resources where she learned how to begin the process of sourcing her own ingredients. She knew it was vital to bring women effective care through her products, which she has now achieved.
Gloryscent’s mission is also to empower women to make the best choices for their wellness. The brand’s biggest accomplishment was having its products in JCPenney stores last year, through the Thirteen Lune e-commerce site, which helps boost the visibility of POC-owned brands. Gonzalez is proud this year to host a speaking series regarding inclusivity in clean beauty, entitled “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty.” The series features various founders and organizations communicating the importance of raising awareness about the toxic ingredients in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color. The intention is to educate rather than fearmonger, for knowledge is power.
In an industry that often exploits women of color and sidelines their beauty needs, Gloryscent provides healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. Gonzalez’s desire is for women to embrace self-love and acceptance, and this message is delivered through her brand. Gloryscent is a reminder that beauty should not be a source of self-consciousness but a celebration of one’s unique identity.