GHK-Cu
Copper Peptide
aka Copper Peptide GHK · GHK-Cu tripeptide · glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
A naturally occurring copper-binding peptide research associates with collagen synthesis and tissue remodelling.
Sequence
GHK
Gly-His-Lys
Mechanism of action
GHK-Cu binds to copper ions, facilitating their transport into cells. It activates tissue remodeling by upregulating collagen synthesis and promoting wound healing. The peptide also modulates gene expression related to inflammation and oxidative stress, enhancing skin repair and regeneration.
What the evidence actually shows
There are a few small human trials that suggest GHK-Cu can improve skin healing and reduce signs of aging. However, larger and more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these effects and establish optimal dosing.
Regulatory status
In the UK, GHK-Cu is considered a research compound and is not approved for therapeutic use by the MHRA.
Source ↗Pharmacokinetics
Dosing — what backs each figure
GHK-Cu's human evidence base is entirely topical and cosmetic/dermatological: a 0.4% copper-tripeptide cream in a randomised venous ulcer trial (which failed to beat placebo), a randomised post-CO2-laser skincare study (also null), and ongoing cosmetic and topical wound-gel studies. Dosing is expressed as a percentage concentration in a formulation, not a milligram injection - there is no published human injectable dose for GHK-Cu, so asking 'how many mcg do I inject' has no evidence-based answer.
0.4% biologically active tripeptide-copper complex cream applied topically to the ulcer, compared against 1% silver sulfadiazine cream and an inert vehicle placebo; the copper peptide cream did not outperform placebo
86 evaluable patients with chronic venous stasis ulcers, prospective randomised evaluator-blinded trial · topical
Post-procedure skin care regimen containing GHK-Cu versus a regimen without it, applied topically over 12 weeks; no significant between-group difference in erythema resolution, wrinkles or overall skin quality
13 patients after circumoral CO2 laser resurfacing, randomised · topical
Facial skin quality, hydration and skin barrier assessed for three topical products; completed cosmetic study
adults, facial skin · topical
- Dose
- Topical cosmetic use well established; injectable research dosing not standardised
- Frequency
- Daily
- Cycle
- 8-12 weeks· unsourced
Why this isn't evidence
The first clause is broadly fair (topical GHK-Cu has been used in controlled human trials at defined percentage concentrations such as 0.4% cream), but 'Daily' with an '8-12 weeks' cycle is community convention rather than a trial regimen, and framing GHK-Cu as having any injectable 'dose' is a category error - no human study has ever injected it.
This figure is shown because it is what circulates and what people search for — not because it is supported. Cycle lengths in particular tend to be convention copied between compounds rather than anything derived from a compound's own pharmacokinetics.
Handling and storage
This is genuine compound-specific stability data from a peer-reviewed preformulation study (Badenhorst 2016, PMID 25384620), not vendor guidance. It also found GHK-Cu compatible with Span 60 based niosomes but less stable in the presence of the negatively charged lipid dicetyl phosphate. No photostability data was found, so lightSensitive is left null. No lyophilised-powder shelf-life study was found. Practical implication: avoid alkaline and oxidising vehicles.
Source ↗Safety
- ·Mild skin irritation
- ·Allergic reactions
- ·Known allergy to copper or peptide components
- ·Copper supplements may enhance effects, leading to potential toxicity
Topical: generally well tolerated; injectable data limited
Reported combinations
- ·Vitamin C, which supports collagen synthesis
- ·High-dose zinc, which competes with copper absorption
Combination claims in this dataset are largely unsourced and should be treated as folk knowledge until a citation appears beside them.
References (4)
- Badenhorst T, Svirskis D, Wu Z (2016) Physicochemical characterization of native glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine tripeptide for wound healing and anti-aging: a preformulation study for dermal delivery ↗Pharm Dev TechnolPMID 25384620DOI
Preformulation study establishing GHK-Cu solubility, log D (-2.38 to -2.49 at pH 4.5-7.4), and stability: stable in water and pH 4.5-7.4 buffers for at least two weeks at 60 C, degraded by base and oxidation with first-order kinetics.
- Cangul IT, Gul NY, Topal A, et al. (2006) Evaluation of the effects of topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits ↗Vet DermatolPMID 17083573DOI
Randomised controlled animal study comparing topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits.
- Canapp SO Jr, Farese JP, Schultz GS, et al. (2003) The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds ↗Vet SurgPMID 14648529DOI
Animal study of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischaemic open wounds.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A (2012) The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health ↗Oxid Med Cell LongevPMID 22666519DOI
Review of GHK-Cu's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and copper-homeostasis effects. CAVEAT: the corresponding author is affiliated with Skin Biology, a commercial GHK-Cu skincare company, so this is not an independent source.
Data provenance
Chemistry and citations on this page were checked against primary sources on 2026-08-14. Values that could not be verified were left blank rather than filled with a plausible guess.