GHK-Cu

Healing & Repair

aka Copper Tripeptide-1 · Cu-GHK · glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

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Formula

MW (Da)

Half-life

~few minutes (plasma); used topically

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Overview

GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of GHK and is the best-studied member of the GHK family. It is the form with the strongest mechanistic data for fibroblast activation, wound repair, and skin-remodeling biology.

Mechanism

In a primary human dermal fibroblast model, GHK-Cu at 1 x 10^-9 M accelerated growth of normal and irradiated fibroblasts and increased early production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and VEGF, with implications for wound healing. A separate fibroblast and ex vivo skin study found that GHK-Cu, particularly in combination with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, increased collagen I, IV, and VII, with the strongest synergy seen on collagen IV. The overall mechanistic picture is one of copper delivery plus ECM and growth-factor remodeling, rather than action through a single named receptor.

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Reported benefits

Fibroblast growth and growth-factor production

GHK-Cu at 1 nM accelerated growth of normal and irradiated dermal fibroblasts and increased bFGF and VEGF production, with implications for wound healing.

[pollard-ghkcu-fibroblasts]

preclinical

Collagen synergy with hyaluronic acid

GHK-Cu, particularly with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, increased collagen I, IV, and VII in fibroblast and ex vivo skin systems, with the strongest synergy on collagen IV.

[pollard-ghkcu-fibroblasts]

preclinical

Mixed human topical evidence

In CO2 laser-resurfaced skin, copper tripeptide complex products did not significantly reduce or resolve post-treatment erythema, hyperpigmentation, or textural changes, tempering stronger anti-aging or wound-healing claims.

[miller-post-laser]

clinical

Reported side effects

Human safety incompletely quantified
anecdotal
No strong systemic safety signal emerged in the retrieved human topical literature, but robust incidence-based safety reporting was not found.

Dosing notes

Published cell-culture work used 1 nM GHK-Cu. A cosmetic concentrate datasheet lists a solution containing 4-6% Copper Tripeptide-1 in an aqueous-glycerin base (approximately 50,000 ppm), but that is a formulation raw-material concentration rather than a clinically validated dose. No standardized systemic human research regimen was identified.

Research use only. Information on this page is editorial reference, not medical or dosing advice. Always consult qualified medical guidance before use.

Storage

A current technical data sheet for a GHK Copper Tripeptide-1 concentrate recommends storage in a closed container, cool and dry, protected from humidity, with a 24-month shelf life under recommended conditions. The same sheet describes the product as water-soluble or dispersible in aqueous media.

Vendors carrying GHK-Cu

No approved vendors are listing this peptide yet. Check back later or browse the full vendor directory.

Discussion

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References

[pollard-ghkcu-fibroblasts]
Effect of copper tripeptide on growth and ECM in human dermal fibroblasts
Pollard JD et al. · PubMed
Source
[miller-post-laser]
Topical copper tripeptide complex products after CO2 laser resurfacing
Miller TR et al. · PubMed
Source
[cu-ghk-tds]
GHK Copper Tripeptide-1 concentrate technical data sheet (M-1721)
Ellemental Pro · Ellemental Pro technical data sheet
Source
[pickart-margolina-2015]
Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data
Pickart L, Margolina A · 2015 · PubMed (review)
Source