Gucci Beauty

A luxury beauty line extending an Italian fashion house into colour cosmetics and fragrances with a bold, expressive aesthetic.

OVERALL SCORE

Above Average
People
Planet
Animals
Our PPA framework evaluates brands based on their positive impact upon People, Planet and Animals.

Learn more about our scoring →

About Gucci Beauty

Gucci Beauty represents the intersection of Italian luxury heritage and contemporary beauty innovation, extending the storied fashion house's bold aesthetic into color cosmetics and fragrances since 2014. Operating under Kering's comprehensive sustainability framework, the brand demonstrates selective progress in environmental initiatives while maintaining the expressive, maximalist approach that defines Gucci's creative vision.

As part of Kering's luxury portfolio, Gucci Beauty benefits from group-level sustainability commitments including science-aligned climate targets and comprehensive chemical management protocols. The brand's performance reveals strong momentum in packaging innovation and supply chain transparency, with ambitious targets for raw material traceability and recycled materials adoption.

However, the brand's animal welfare practices present significant gaps, particularly regarding cruelty-free status and vegan formulations. Through its licensing arrangement with Coty, Gucci Beauty continues to allow animal testing in markets where legally required, positioning it distinctly apart from luxury beauty brands that have achieved comprehensive cruelty-free certification.

The Good Stuff

Where Gucci Beauty appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.

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Packaging Innovation Leadership

Demonstrates comprehensive packaging transformation with 100% recyclable components, water-based inks, and ambitious 30% weight reduction targets using recycled and bio-based materials

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Science-Aligned Climate Commitments

Parent company Kering establishes robust climate framework targeting 40% absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction across all scopes by 2035

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Chemical Safety Protocols

Implements comprehensive Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) across production processes to systematically eliminate hazardous chemicals

The Reality Check

Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.

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Animal Testing Practices

Continues to allow animal testing where legally required through licensing arrangements, lacking independent cruelty-free certification from recognized verification bodies

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Vegan Formulation Gaps

Products contain animal-derived ingredients without vegan certification or comprehensive plant-based formulation commitments

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Beauty-Specific Impact Metrics

Limited disclosure of beauty line-specific environmental and social impact data, with most sustainability reporting consolidated at parent company level

Gucci Beauty's
Impact Aura

A visual representation of Gucci Beauty's positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals

Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.

Our Research

Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Gucci Beauty's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.

Positive Impact on People

3.2/5

Research Highlights

  • Manufacturing restricted substances list (MRSL) adopted across production processes to eliminate hazardous chemicals
  • Supplier compliance framework requires adherence to Kering's sustainability principles covering human rights and environmental standards
  • Supply chain traceability initiative targets complete raw material transparency by 2025
  • Inclusive workplace initiatives emphasize diversity and social rights across global operations
  • Marketing claims align with published sustainability principles and transparent communication standards

Evidence Strength

Strong documentation for chemical safety protocols and supplier standards through parent company Kering's comprehensive frameworks, though beauty-specific labor verification and social impact metrics remain limited

Data Confidence: Medium

Positive Impact on Planet

3.2/5

Research Highlights

  • Science-aligned climate commitment targeting 40% absolute greenhouse gas reduction across Scopes 1-3 by 2035
  • Packaging innovation demonstrates 30% weight reduction targets with transition to recycled and bio-based materials
  • Sustainable packaging redesign features 100% recyclable components with water-based inks
  • Chemical management protocols eliminate hazardous substances through comprehensive MRSL implementation
  • Nature-positive supply chain ambitions focus on protecting and restoring biodiversity

Evidence Strength

Robust verification for climate targets and packaging innovation through Kering's environmental policy, with emerging frameworks for water stewardship and biodiversity that lack beauty-specific metrics

Data Confidence: Medium

Positive Impact on Animals

2.7/5

Research Highlights

  • Animal testing conducted where legally required through licensing arrangements with Coty
  • Products contain animal-derived ingredients without vegan certification or commitments
  • Raw material traceability efforts include sourcing criteria relevant to animal welfare
  • Nature-positive ambitions expressed without specific wildlife conservation programs
  • Absence of recognized cruelty-free certifications from independent verification bodies

Evidence Strength

Limited verification across animal welfare criteria, with documented evidence indicating continued animal testing in certain markets and use of animal-derived ingredients without third-party cruelty-free certification

Data Confidence: Low

See the Receipts

We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Gucci Beauty's sustainability commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gucci Beauty sustainable?

Live By's assessment reveals mixed sustainability performance for Gucci Beauty. The brand demonstrates strong environmental initiatives through Kering's comprehensive framework, including science-aligned climate targets and innovative packaging solutions. However, significant gaps exist in animal welfare practices, with continued animal testing in certain markets and absence of cruelty-free certification. Our analysis indicates selective progress that reflects luxury beauty's broader sustainability challenges.

Is Gucci Beauty cruelty-free?

Based on Live By's research, Gucci Beauty is not cruelty-free certified. The brand allows animal testing where legally required through its licensing arrangement with Coty and lacks verification from recognized cruelty-free certification bodies. This positions Gucci Beauty apart from luxury beauty brands that have achieved comprehensive cruelty-free status through independent third-party verification.

Does Gucci Beauty use clean ingredients?

Live By's analysis shows Gucci Beauty implements comprehensive chemical safety protocols through its Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL), systematically eliminating hazardous chemicals from production processes. The brand operates under Kering's sustainability principles requiring supplier compliance with environmental and safety standards, though independent third-party safety verification remains limited.

What makes Gucci Beauty's packaging sustainable?

Our assessment highlights Gucci Beauty's packaging innovation as a key strength, featuring 100% recyclable components with water-based inks and ambitious targets for 30% weight reduction. The brand demonstrates commitment to transitioning toward recycled and bio-based materials, supported by Kering's comprehensive environmental policy framework.

How does Gucci Beauty address climate change?

Live By's research indicates Gucci Beauty benefits from Kering's robust climate framework, which targets 40% absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction across Scopes 1-3 by 2035. This science-aligned commitment represents one of the brand's strongest sustainability attributes, though beauty-specific climate metrics and initiatives remain undisclosed.

Is Gucci Beauty transparent about its supply chain?

Our analysis reveals Gucci Beauty's commitment to achieving complete raw material traceability by 2025, with comprehensive supplier compliance frameworks requiring adherence to sustainability principles. While the brand demonstrates progress in supply chain transparency initiatives, beauty-specific supplier verification and labor practices documentation remains limited.

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The Bottom Line

Gucci Beauty's sustainability profile reflects the complexities of luxury beauty's evolution, with notable strengths in environmental initiatives overshadowed by significant gaps in animal welfare practices. While benefiting from Kering's comprehensive sustainability framework, the brand's continued animal testing and absence of cruelty-free certification present clear opportunities for alignment with evolving luxury beauty standards.

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