As a longtime nurse, Gisselle Spencer spent the early part of her work career finding care solutions for the patients. But when her own skin started to become dry and sensitive, developing psoriasis in the process, she realized there wasn’t a go-to solution.
“My goal was to find something that was going to soothe sensitive skin,” she said.
In the process, she found entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the recent Hispanic Business Expo in Edison, Spencer and her husband, Angel Rosario, presented Cacao Essence Beauty, a business they run from the comfort of their home in Wayne.
Cacao Essence Beauty features a number of balms, scrubs and exfoliators, each of which uses cacao butter, a product that is rich in fatty acids which help hydrate and nourish your skin, as well as including a natural emollient that forms a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.
The company gets its product from the Dominican Republic — from a cacao field owned by Rosario’s father in Arroyo Toro, Spencer said. It gets its aim from Spencer.
Her minimal use of ingredients with only natural and organic components “is a return to simplicity, tradition, and intentional self-care,” according to her website.
“I decided to create what I couldn’t find.”
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Cacao has anti-inflammatory compounds such as epicatechin, catechins and procyanidins, to help reduce redness, irritation and inflammation in the skin, according to the Skin Nutrition Institute. It has also been found that the flavonoids in cacao help to neutralize free radicals caused by UV exposure, reducing UV’s harmful effects.
Spencer just knows it worked well for her.
That’s why, once her skin started to heal, Spencer pushed the limits and began testing what cacao could do for her face and body, slowly experimenting and trying recipes to range from soaps to lip balms and body oil.
In January 2026, Cacao Essence Beauty officially became Spencer’s business.
With all natural ingredients, pricing can vary based on product. For example, Spencer’s homemade face scrub is $18, eye balm is $22, mini soap bars are $5 and beard scrubs and balms are $18. Full oils, soaps and scrubs can range from $20 to $30.
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Spencer loves the impact her products have on her skin.
Her ultimate aim is to see the impact her company can have on her 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son — especially as it pertains to capturing the culture of the homeland of her and her husband.
“He grew up seeing the cacao being grown,” she said. “To be able to utilize it here and show people its benefits, is very nice.”
She also hopes to show people what it’s like to follow your passions and give your ideas a chance.
As a mother, wife, business owner and full-time nurse, Spencer encourages others.
“If you have an idea and you put your all into it, it could be a dream come true,” she said.
