GHK-Cu

Full name: Copper Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine : Copper)
Mechanism: Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide present in plasma (declines with age). Stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory gene expression, supports wound remodelling.
Half-life: short systemic; topical local action
Administration: topical, subcutaneous (research)
Typical dosage*: low: topical 1-2% serum · typical: topical cosmetic use · high: research SC dosing varies
Researched for: skin rejuvenation (topical), hair support, wound healing
Reported side effects: topical: rare irritation, high topical concentrations may cause sensitivity
Interactions: avoid combining with strong vitamin C in same topical layer (formulation concern)
Commonly combined: GHK-Cu + BPC-157 (skin/connective), topical GHK-Cu + retinoid (cosmetic)
Scheduling: 🇦🇺 AUPermitted in cosmetics (topical); injectable not ARTG-registered
🇺🇸 USCosmetic ingredient (topical); injectable not FDA-approved
🇬🇧 UKCosmetic ingredient permitted
Regulatory status: Topical cosmetic use is legal in AU/US/UK. Injectable use is not approved.
Recon default: 2000 mcg typical · 5 ml BAC · refrigerated, light-protected

*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.

25studies

9faqs

skinanti-agingwound-healing

Studies (25)

Year	Title / venue	Source
2026	Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · preclinical	PMID 41490200
2026	Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians The American journal of sports medicine · preclinical	PMID 41476424
2026	Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2(+) (GHK-Cu) Attenuates CuSO(4) or LPS induced-inflammation in Zebrafish larvae model European journal of pharmacology · preclinical	PMID 41997403
2025	Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective BioImpacts : BI · preclinical	PMID 39963574
2025	An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces · preclinical	PMID 40716276
2025	Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · preclinical	PMID 39795193
2025	Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms Frontiers in pharmacology · preclinical	PMID 40672369
2025	Copper Complexes with New Glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Hyaluronan Conjugates Show Antioxidant Properties and Osteogenic and Angiogenic Synergistic Effects Bioconjugate chemistry · preclinical	PMID 40123442
2025	Food-Derived Tripeptide-Copper Self-Healing Hydrogel for Infected Wound Healing Biomaterials research · preclinical	PMID 39902373
2024	The glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu(2+) tripeptide complex attenuates lung inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis by targeting peroxiredoxin 6 Redox biology · preclinical	PMID 38879894
2023	Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application Pharmaceutics · preclinical	PMID 37896245
2023	Glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu(2+) rescues cigarette smoking-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction via a sirtuin 1-dependent pathway Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · preclinical	PMID 36905132
2023	Phenothiazine-Based Cu(II)-Selective Fluorescent Sensor: GHK-Cu Sensing Applications The Journal of organic chemistry · preclinical	PMID 37830186
2023	Ultrasensitive and Label-Free Detection of Copper Ions by GHK-Modified Asymmetric Nanochannels Analytical chemistry · preclinical	PMID 37624577
2023	Intranasal GHK peptide enhances resilience to cognitive decline in aging mice bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · preclinical	PMID 38014118
2020	The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide Aging pathobiology and therapeutics · preclinical	PMID 35083444
2020	Ternary Cu(II) Complex with GHK Peptide and Cis-Urocanic Acid as a Potential Physiologically Functional Copper Chelate International journal of molecular sciences · preclinical	PMID 32867146
2020	Protective effects of GHK-Cu in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation pathways Life sciences · preclinical	PMID 31809714
2020	Copper-tripeptides (cuzymes) with peroxidase-mimetic activity RSC advances · preclinical	PMID 35515638
2019	Electrophoretic deposition of GHK-Cu loaded MSN-chitosan coatings with pH-responsive release of copper and its bioactivity Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications · preclinical	PMID 31500015
2018	Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data International journal of molecular sciences · preclinical	PMID 29986520
2017	GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society · preclinical	PMID 28370978
2015	Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · preclinical	PMID 25731775
2012	The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · preclinical	PMID 22666519
2008	The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition · preclinical	PMID 18644225

Questions (9)

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine : Copper)). Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide present in plasma (declines with age). Stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory gene expression, supports wound remodelling.

What is GHK-Cu used for?

Commonly discussed uses: skin rejuvenation (topical), hair support, wound healing. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.

How does GHK-Cu work?

Mechanism: Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide present in plasma (declines with age). Stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory gene expression, supports wound remodelling.

Is GHK-Cu safe?

Reported considerations: topical: rare irritation, high topical concentrations may cause sensitivity. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Topical cosmetic use is legal in AU/US/UK. Injectable use is not approved. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.

What is the typical dose of GHK-Cu?

Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low topical 1-2% serum, typical topical cosmetic use, high research SC dosing varies. Administration: topical, subcutaneous (research). Half-life: short systemic; topical local action.

Is GHK-Cu legal in Australia?

Australian status: Permitted in cosmetics (topical); injectable not ARTG-registered. Topical cosmetic use is legal in AU/US/UK. Injectable use is not approved. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.

How do you store GHK-Cu?

Reconstitution/storage reference: topical: pre-formulated; injectable research: 3-5ml BAC water per 50-100mg; storage: refrigerated; protect from light.

What is GHK-Cu commonly stacked with?

Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): GHK-Cu + BPC-157 (skin/connective), topical GHK-Cu + retinoid (cosmetic). Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.