Anti-Aging & Longevity
GHK-Cu
Also known as: Copper tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
A naturally occurring three-amino-acid peptide that binds copper. It is best known as a cosmetic skin-care ingredient and has been studied in wound-healing and skin-remodeling research.
Overview
GHK is a small peptide that occurs naturally in human blood plasma, saliva and urine. It binds copper tightly, and the copper complex (GHK-Cu) is the form most often studied. Reported plasma levels of GHK decline with age, which is one reason it attracted interest in aging research.
What the research has looked at
Laboratory work has examined effects on fibroblasts (the cells that make collagen), wound closure in animal models, and changes in the activity of large groups of genes. Human data mostly concerns topical use in skin-care products, where studies are generally small and often industry-linked.
What we do not know
- Much of the mechanistic story comes from cell cultures and computational gene-expression analyses, which do not prove benefit in people.
- Clinical evidence for injected or oral use is minimal.
- Product quality varies widely across cosmetic and unregulated sources.
Regulatory context
GHK-Cu appears as an ingredient in many cosmetic products. Injectable forms are not approved as medicines in the US or EU.
Related pages
See the Peptide A-Z for other compounds studied in skin and tissue research.
References & further reading
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987.
Educational reference only. Not medical advice. This page does not recommend or describe human use, dosing or sourcing.