Rankings / Longevity — Peptides
GHK-Cu (copper peptide)
Longevity · Peptide
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades GHK-Cu (copper peptide) as B+ (7.1/10) based on moderate evidence, moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Canonical 'anti-aging peptide.
Typical use: 0. — OTC (topical); injectable formerly compounded — now Category 2 on FDA 503A list for injection.
What this is
Canonical 'anti-aging peptide.' Topical use retains commercial availability (various skincare brands); injectable is now prohibited from US compounding. Pickart 2015 review aggregates most of the evidence base. Pairs poorly with vitamin C (copper catalyzes C oxidation) — separate AM/PM.
Mechanism
Tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) with copper affinity; stimulates collagen/elastin/glycosaminoglycan synthesis; anti-inflammatory; promotes wound healing and hair follicle stimulation
Dose & route
0.1-5% topical applied to clean skin
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26218766/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21605168/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4492984/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/
- https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/2/29
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4508379/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does GHK-Cu (copper peptide) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for GHK-Cu (copper peptide) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Canonical 'anti-aging peptide.
- Is GHK-Cu (copper peptide) safe?
- GHK-Cu (copper peptide) has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC (topical); injectable formerly compounded — now Category 2 on FDA 503A list for injection (prohibited). This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for GHK-Cu (copper peptide)?
- 0.1-5% topical applied to clean skin
- How does GHK-Cu (copper peptide) work?
- Tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) with copper affinity; stimulates collagen/elastin/glycosaminoglycan synthesis; anti-inflammatory; promotes wound healing and hair follicle stimulation
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.