GHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide-1 · GHK copper · Gly-His-Lys-Cu

Recovery, repair & tissue

Awaiting medical reviewEN ES DE FR PT ZH+ Follow for updates

1What it is

GHK is a three-amino-acid fragment found naturally in plasma, saliva and urine. Its blood level falls with age — roughly 200 ng/ml at 20 to about 80 ng/ml at 60.

It has been a cosmetic ingredient since the 1990s and is the one peptide on this site that many people already use without knowing it.

2How it's thought to work

Copper delivery. Shuttles copper into cells for collagen cross-linking and antioxidant enzymes.

Gene expression. Shifts many genes toward repair patterns (computational / ).

Matrix remodelling. More collagen, elastin and decorin.

Nerve & stem cells. Supports outgrowth in culture.

Proposed: the copper-bound peptide signals dermal fibroblasts to make collagen and elastin.Schematic — not to scale

3What the research shows

Skin ageing (topical)

Several small controlled cosmetic studies report improved skin density, elasticity and fewer fine lines after 8–12 weeks. Industry-funded. [5]

Wound healing

Faster closure in animal models; mixed human pilot data. [6]

Lung repair / COPD

Gene-expression analysis suggested reversal of emphysema signature; cell culture only. [3]

Systemic injection

No published human trials of injected GHK-Cu.

4Reported side effects and interactions

Literature-reported

Topical: well tolerated; rare contact irritation.

Community-reported

Injectable: notable pain and burning at the injection site, redness, bruising; occasional nausea or headache.

Interactions. None established. Strong vitamin C or AHAs may destabilise the copper complex if layered immediately.

Markers researchers commonly monitor

Marker	Why it's watched
Serum copper, ceruloplasmin	Repeated systemic copper administration

Free for everyone. Safety information is never behind a paywall.

5Reconstitution and handling

Supplied as blue powder, commonly 50 mg vials. The solution should be clear blue; a fading or green-brown solution suggests degradation.

Open in calculator, pre-loaded →

6Commonly studied alongside

BPC-157 →Recovery context TB-500 →Recovery context

Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.

7Regulatory status by region

Region	Status (checked —)
United States	Permitted cosmetic ingredient. Injectable not FDA-approved
European Union	Permitted cosmetic ingredient; injectable not authorised
United Kingdom	Same as EU
Australia	Cosmetic use permitted; injectable not approved
South Africa	Cosmetic use permitted; injectable not registered
Canada	Cosmetic use permitted
Sport	Not specifically listed by WADA

8Open questions

Does topical GHK-Cu penetrate deeply enough to explain reported dermal effects?
Any benefit from systemic injection in humans — untested.

9References

1Pickart L et al. (2015). GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways. Biomed Res Int. PubMed · DOI
2Pickart L, Margolina A (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of GHK-Cu. Int J Mol Sci. PubMed
3Campbell JD et al. (2012). A gene expression signature of emphysema reversal by GHK. Genome Med. PubMed
4Pickart L, Thaler MM (1973). Tripeptide in human serum. Nat New Biol. PubMed
5Abdulghani AA et al. (1998). Topical creams compared with tretinoin. Dis Manag Clin Outcomes. PubMed
6Mulder GD et al. (1994). Enhanced healing of ulcers in diabetes by GHK-Cu. Wound Repair Regen. PubMed

References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.

10Community

forum threads →

community protocols include this →

Threads and protocols are visible to members. Joining is free.

Self-reported side effects Phase 2

Not enough data yet. 12 of the 50 members needed have logged this compound for 4+ weeks. We don't show anything below 50, so no one can be identified.

11Page history

2 Oct 2026Hair-growth section revised

10 Jun 2026Page published

Licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Found an error? Report it · Editorial standards — corrections are logged here.