GHK-Cu (topical)
Skin/Hair · Copper peptide
Tier B
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/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
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.