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GHK-Cu

Also known as copper tripeptide-1, prezatide copper, ghk-cu · Wikipedia

GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the human tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK), a naturally occurring fragment first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Loren Pickart. It is one of the most extensively studied 'copper peptides' and is recognized internationally as a cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Copper tripeptide-1) used in anti-aging serums and creams for skin firming, fine-line reduction, wound healing, and hair-density support. Endogenous plasma GHK falls from roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60, paralleling age-related decline in regenerative capacity. Mechanistically GHK-Cu acts as a copper carrier and signalling peptide that stimulates collagen, elastin, decorin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in fibroblasts; in microarray studies it modulates expression of more than 4,000 human genes toward a younger transcriptomic profile. Topical use is well-tolerated; injectable use is increasingly common but lacks formal human pharmacokinetic data.

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Mechanism of action

GHK-Cu is the copper(II)-bound complex of the naturally occurring tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a fragment of human albumin and SPARC. It functions as a high-affinity copper carrier and as a direct signalling molecule on fibroblasts, keratinocytes, dermal papilla cells, and endothelial cells.

GHK-Cu is the copper(II)-bound complex of the naturally occurring tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a fragment of human albumin and SPARC. It functions as a high-affinity copper carrier and as a direct signalling molecule on fibroblasts, keratinocytes, dermal papilla cells, and endothelial cells. Pickart originally demonstrated that GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations (Maquart et al., FEBS Lett 1988, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3169264/), with maximal stimulation near 10⁻⁹ M. Beyond collagen, GHK-Cu upregulates elastin, decorin, and glycosaminoglycan production; modulates matrix-metalloproteinase and TIMP activity to support extracellular-matrix remodeling; and induces antioxidant defense via SOD2 (Pickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/). Microarray analyses of the Broad Connectivity Map identified GHK as a modulator of >4,000 human genes — broadly resetting fibroblast transcription toward a younger profile and inducing DNA-repair and tumour-suppressor genes (Pickart et al., BioMed Res Int 2015, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4508379/). In hair follicles, GHK-Cu promotes dermal-papilla proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, enlarging follicle size (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4969472/). Cytotoxicity testing shows GHK-Cu, unlike inorganic copper salts, does not upregulate irritation biomarkers in skin cells (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5124859/).

Pharmacokinetic properties

Half-life

Plasma half-life on the order of hours; endogenous plasma GHK declines from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL at age 60.

Routes

topical · subcutaneous · intramuscular

Bioavailability

Excellent skin penetration when formulated correctly (often in liposomal or pH-adjusted vehicles); widely used in cosmetic products. Injectable use for systemic anti-aging is increasingly common but lacks formal human pharmacokinetic data.

Amino-acid sequence

Gly-His-Lys (copper(II) complex)

Use & research dosing

Skin RepairCollagen SupportHair SupportWound HealingAnti-Aging Cosmetics

Topical cosmetic formulations commonly contain 0.05–2% GHK-Cu in serums, creams, or scalp products, applied 1–2 times daily. There is no FDA-approved injectable dose. Subcutaneous research and self-experimentation protocols commonly report 1–2 mg SC daily or every other day in 4–8 week cycles, often with a 4-week washout between cycles. Clinical trials of topical preparations (e.g., the CuHeal acute wound study, NCT07437586) use vehicle-controlled fixed-concentration gels rather than weight-based dosing. Higher injectable doses risk visible bluish discoloration at the injection site from copper accumulation; rotating injection sites is commonly recommended. Practitioners should avoid concurrent application of high-strength topical Vitamin C in the same area, since ascorbate can disrupt the GHK-Cu complex.

Research-use framing only. SavePeptides sells nothing for human consumption. Doses above reflect reported research / self-experimentation ranges, not clinical recommendations.

Editorial perspective

GHK-Cu has one of the strongest preclinical and in-vitro evidence bases of any 'peptide' marketed for skin and recovery use, with decades of cell-biology data and a long-standing role as an approved cosmetic ingredient internationally. Rigorous human clinical trials at the injection doses now commonly sold by research-chemical vendors remain scarce, however; most published efficacy data are from cosmetic-industry studies of topical formulations or from cell and animal work. An active clinical trial (CuHeal, NCT07437586) is evaluating a topical GHK-Cu gel for acute wound healing. 'Retinoids (topical)' was the only unmapped stack mention and is not an index slug — dropped.

— SavePeptides editorial desk · last updated 2026-05-25

Cautions & contraindications

Before researching this compound, note:

  • Injection-site irritation and transient bluish discoloration possible from copper
  • Theoretical risk of copper overload with chronic high-dose injectable use
  • Pro-angiogenic activity — theoretical concern in active malignancy
  • Contraindicated in Wilson's disease (impaired copper handling)
  • Not FDA-approved as a drug — cosmetic / research use only
  • Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to absent injection safety data
  • Some individuals may be sensitive to topical copper peptides (contact dermatitis)
  • Avoid concurrent use of high-strength topical Vitamin C in the same application (can disrupt the copper complex)
  • Patch-test new topical formulations before widespread skin application
  • Quality of injectable research-grade material varies between vendors

Research foundation

The papers behind the page.

  1. [01]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3169264/
  2. [02]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4508379/
  3. [03]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/
  4. [04]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4969472/
  5. [05]https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07437586

Facts verified

2026-05-25

Confidence

high

What this means

  • approved cosmetic ingredient globally; not FDA-approved as a drug
  • injection use lacks formal human PK data

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SavePeptides surfaces vendor, pricing, and coupon information for research compounds. These products are not intended, approved, or recommended for human consumption. Our content is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.