Gloryscent: Serving Women of Color with Clean and Pro-Melanin Skin-Care Products
Growing up, Rafaela Gonzalez, founder of Gloryscent, often felt self-conscious about her textured hair and darker skin in a society that imposes European standards of beauty. Her struggle with acceptance and self-love led her to create a skin-care brand that caters to the needs of underrepresented women of color. Gloryscent, which labels itself as a pro-melanin skin-care brand, focuses on inclusivity in clean beauty without compromising the safety and effectiveness of its products.
Gonzalez’s journey to creating Gloryscent started with her personal experience of feeling left out in an industry that often sidelines women of color. She envisioned a brand where women of color are not the last thought but the inspiration behind each product. As she delved into the research and development of Gloryscent, she discovered that many products meant for women of color contain toxic ingredients, which disproportionately impact these consumers compared to white women. This realization made her brand’s mission expand to promoting inclusivity in clean beauty, offering women of color access to health and wellness products that are safe and effective.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez drew inspiration from her cultural roots and infused them into many of her products. By highlighting ingredients from her ancestral home, Gonzalez hopes to honor her “beautiful island.” Take, for instance, her Behold Brightening Balm made with neem oil, derived from trees found in the Dominican countryside.
Gonzalez also combines natural additives such as arnica flower extract, willow bark, and organic ginseng to soothe sun-damaged skin, promote exfoliation, and help soften fine lines. Her brand offers customers the Soothing Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Total Body Serum, Urbana Elixir, and Manketti Oil Serum, among others, all made using natural elements that Gloryscent swears by.
What makes Gloryscent unique is its “skin routine” concept, which provides customers with a complete set of nutrient-rich products perfect for transitioning to clean beauty. Gonzalez believes that having an entire collection is essential to bring effective care to women of color. Initially, she had to learn the formulation process without formal training. She overcame the initial hurdle by enrolling in an online school and sourcing her own ingredients.
Gloryscent stands out in an industry notorious for exploiting women of color and ignoring their beauty concerns. The brand uplifts women of color by providing healthier, tailored alternatives to the harsh and often damaging active ingredients in mainstream products. Gonzalez’s goal is to bring awareness of healthier self-care options, nurture self-love, and provide education and empowerment for women to make the best choices for their wellness.
Gonzalez’s achievements with Gloryscent continue to make waves. In 2020, Gloryscent made it to JCPenney stores, thanks to the Thirteen Lune ecommerce site, which boosts the visibility of POC-owned brands. This year, she is proud to host a speaking series, “Let’s Talk Inclusion in Clean Beauty,” featuring various founders and organizations. The series’ focus is to raise awareness about the toxic ingredients present in self-care products marketed to Latinx women and other women of color, and not to fearmonger. Gonzalez believes that knowledge is power, and true beauty comes from self-love and acceptance.
In conclusion, Gloryscent is a brand that provides clean and safe skin-care products that cater to the needs of underrepresented women of color. Its unique “skin routine” concept brings effective care to women of color’s wellness while promoting self-love and acceptance. Gonzalez’s journey to creating Gloryscent shows that overcoming self-doubt and insecurity can lead to empowering beauty brands that uplift and promote inclusivity in the industry.
