Skip to content

GHK-Cu

A naturally occurring copper-binding peptide with extensive research on skin remodeling, wound healing, and anti-aging.

ModerateWell-Studied Beginner-Friendly

Always consult a qualified clinician

This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide that is found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. It has a strong affinity for copper ions and forms a complex that has been extensively studied for its role in tissue remodeling, wound healing, and skin regeneration. GHK-Cu levels decline significantly with age, which has led to interest in its potential anti-aging applications.

Why People Talk About It

Skin rejuvenation and collagen production

Moderate

Wound healing acceleration

Moderate

Hair growth support

Emerging

Anti-aging at the cellular level

Emerging

How It Works

GHK-Cu acts as a signal that tells your body to repair and remodel tissue. It stimulates collagen production, attracts immune cells to wound sites, and has antioxidant properties. As we age, our natural GHK-Cu levels drop, which may contribute to slower healing and skin aging.

Common Questions

Safety Information

Important Safety Notes

Common Side Effects

Skin irritation (topical, rare)Injection site reactions (injectable)

Cautions

  • Topical forms are generally very well tolerated
  • Injectable forms should be used under clinician guidance
  • Those with Wilson's disease or copper metabolism disorders should avoid

What We Don't Know

Systemic effects of injectable GHK-Cu at various doses are not fully characterized in large clinical trials.

Published Research

33 studies

Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 16847171

The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health

ReviewPMID: 22666519

Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.

ReviewPMID: 29986520

The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide.

ReviewPMID: 35083444

Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective.

ReviewPMID: 39963574

GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration.

ReviewPMID: 26236730

Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes?

ReviewPMID: 39795193

Site-Specific Detection of Copper-Peptide Coordination in Solution Phase by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

PreclinicalPMID: 41608846

Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms

PreclinicalPMID: 40672369

An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant

PreclinicalPMID: 40716276

Dimeric copper peptide incorporated hydrogel for promoting diabetic wound healing

PreclinicalPMID: 40592840

Palmitoyl copper peptide and acetyl tyrosine complex enhances melanin production in both A375 and B16 cell lines

PreclinicalPMID: 39632290

Novel Applications of CE-ICP-MS/MS: Monitoring of Antiaging GHK-Cu Cosmetic Component Encapsulation in Liposomes

PreclinicalPMID: 39451062

Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application

PreclinicalPMID: 37896245

Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests

PreclinicalPMID: 37062921

Polyaspartic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-Methyl propane sulfonic acid and sodium alginate based biocompatible stimuli responsive polymer gel for controlled release of GHK-Cu peptide for wound healing

PreclinicalPMID: 35341370

Biomimetic Hydrogel Scaffolds with Copper Peptide-Functionalized RADA16 Nanofiber Improve Wound Healing in Diabetes

PreclinicalPMID: 35598070

De Novo Design of a Self-Assembled Artificial Copper Peptide that Activates and Reduces Peroxide

PreclinicalPMID: 36188417

Enhanced biological properties of collagen/chitosan-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold by surface modification with GHK-Cu peptide and 58S bioglass

PreclinicalPMID: 32248401

Protective effects of GHK-Cu in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation pathways

PreclinicalPMID: 31809714

Electrophoretic deposition of GHK-Cu loaded MSN-chitosan coatings with pH-responsive release of copper and its bioactivity

PreclinicalPMID: 31500015

In Vitro and in Vivo Studies of pH-Sensitive GHK-Cu-Incorporated Polyaspartic and Polyacrylic Acid Superabsorbent Polymer

PreclinicalPMID: 31815212

Investigations of the Copper Peptide Hepcidin-25 by LC-MS/MS and NMR

PreclinicalPMID: 30072660

GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis

PreclinicalPMID: 28370978

The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

PreclinicalPMID: 27517151

An Artificial Neural Network Based Analysis of Factors Controlling Particle Size in a Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Nanoemulsion System Containing Copper Peptide

PreclinicalPMID: 27383135

Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction

PreclinicalPMID: 25731775

Microneedle-Mediated Delivery of Copper Peptide Through Skin

PreclinicalPMID: 25690343

Copper-peptide complex structure and reactivity when found in conserved His-X(aa)-His sequences

PreclinicalPMID: 25171435

Speciation of copper-peptide complexes in water solution using DFTB and DFT approaches: case of the [Cu(HGGG)(Py)] complex

PreclinicalPMID: 22537307

Impact of single-dose application of TGF-β, copper peptide, stanozolol and ascorbic acid in hydrogel on midline laparatomy wound healing in a diabetic mouse model

PreclinicalPMID: 22614259

Transition metals as electron traps. I. Structures, energetics, electron capture, and electron-transfer-induced dissociations of ternary copper-peptide complexes in the gas phase

PreclinicalPMID: 19132713

On-line electrogeneration of copper-peptide complexes in microspray mass spectrometry

PreclinicalPMID: 18313328

Always consult a qualified clinician

This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician

Related Peptides

Quick Facts

Class
Copper Peptide
Evidence
Moderate
Safety
Well-Studied
Updated
Feb 2026
Citations
33PubMed

Also known as

Copper PeptideGlycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Copper

Tags

SkinAnti-AgingWound HealingHairCollagen

Evidence Score

Overall Confidence70%

Clinical Trials

View Clinical Trials

Links to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.

Clinician Guided

Interested in this peptide? A Noho clinician can help determine if it's right for you.

Talk to a Clinician