GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring copper-binding peptide with extensive research on skin remodeling, wound healing, and anti-aging.
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
ModerateWound healing acceleration
ModerateHair growth support
EmergingAnti-aging at the cellular level
EmergingHow 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
Common Side Effects
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 studiesEffects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin
The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.
The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide.
Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective.
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration.
Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes?
Site-Specific Detection of Copper-Peptide Coordination in Solution Phase by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy
Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms
An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant
Dimeric copper peptide incorporated hydrogel for promoting diabetic wound healing
Palmitoyl copper peptide and acetyl tyrosine complex enhances melanin production in both A375 and B16 cell lines
Novel Applications of CE-ICP-MS/MS: Monitoring of Antiaging GHK-Cu Cosmetic Component Encapsulation in Liposomes
Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application
Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests
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
Biomimetic Hydrogel Scaffolds with Copper Peptide-Functionalized RADA16 Nanofiber Improve Wound Healing in Diabetes
De Novo Design of a Self-Assembled Artificial Copper Peptide that Activates and Reduces Peroxide
Enhanced biological properties of collagen/chitosan-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold by surface modification with GHK-Cu peptide and 58S bioglass
Protective effects of GHK-Cu in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation pathways
Electrophoretic deposition of GHK-Cu loaded MSN-chitosan coatings with pH-responsive release of copper and its bioactivity
In Vitro and in Vivo Studies of pH-Sensitive GHK-Cu-Incorporated Polyaspartic and Polyacrylic Acid Superabsorbent Polymer
Investigations of the Copper Peptide Hepcidin-25 by LC-MS/MS and NMR
GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis
The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice
An Artificial Neural Network Based Analysis of Factors Controlling Particle Size in a Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Nanoemulsion System Containing Copper Peptide
Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction
Microneedle-Mediated Delivery of Copper Peptide Through Skin
Copper-peptide complex structure and reactivity when found in conserved His-X(aa)-His sequences
Speciation of copper-peptide complexes in water solution using DFTB and DFT approaches: case of the [Cu(HGGG)(Py)] complex
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
Transition metals as electron traps. I. Structures, energetics, electron capture, and electron-transfer-induced dissociations of ternary copper-peptide complexes in the gas phase
On-line electrogeneration of copper-peptide complexes in microspray mass spectrometry
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
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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