Skin & Cosmetic

GHK-Cu

Copper peptide (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine)

Skin and tissue renewal, copper-bound.

Half-life

~ 30 min (plasma); topical residence hours

Mol. weight

742.29 g/mol

Sequence

Gly-His-Lys (bound to Cu²⁺)

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Overview

A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) with one of the strongest evidence bases of any cosmetic peptide. Gene-expression studies show it modulates hundreds of genes involved in tissue remodeling, upregulating collagen and elastin synthesis, stimulating wound healing, and reducing inflammation. Placebo-controlled facial studies have demonstrated measurable improvements in skin thickness, firmness, and fine lines.

Mechanism of action

GHK-Cu complexes with Cu²⁺ ions and modulates the expression of hundreds of genes involved in tissue remodeling — upregulating collagen (types I and III) and elastin synthesis, stimulating glycosaminoglycans (including decorin and chondroitin sulfate), and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. In animal wound models it accelerates healing, increases blood-vessel formation, and raises antioxidant enzyme levels; in placebo-controlled human facial studies (12-week, twice-daily application) GHK-Cu cream improved skin laxity, firmness, density, thickness, and fine lines, and stimulated keratinocyte proliferation on biopsy. It also attracts immune and endothelial cells to injury sites.

Researched benefits

Upregulates collagen and elastin synthesis (gene-expression confirmed)
Accelerates wound healing and angiogenesis (animal models)
Placebo-controlled human studies show improved firmness, thickness, fine lines
Anti-inflammatory (reduces TNF-α-driven IL-6)
May support hair follicle health

Considerations

Topical use is well-tolerated and well-studied
Injectable forms lack comparable human data
Copper balance must be considered with systemic use

Key Academic Literature & Studies

Search more in PubMed

Peer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating GHK-Cu in scientific literature.

Articles & logs

Research2026-07-15·6 min

The Gene-Expression Evidence Behind GHK-Cu

Hundreds of genes, multiple placebo-controlled studies — what actually holds up.

By Dr. M. Reyes