Library · Skin & hair · Skin regeneration and wound healing
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Copper tripeptide-1, GHK-Copper, Glycyl-histidyl-lysine copper
Copper-bound tripeptide first isolated from human plasma in 1973 during liver regeneration research. Promotes collagen synthesis, wound healing, hair follicle activity, and skin elasticity, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; widely used in cosmetics rather than as a medical treatment.
Research score 85/100. Reference only, not a dose.
- Skin Health
- Collagen Production
- Wound Healing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-aging
- Hair Growth
- US status
- Research Chemical
- Approval
- Cosmetic Use Only
- Evidence
- Extensively studied for skin remodeling, wound healing, and anti-aging. Promotes collagen synthesis and reduces inflammation.
- Research score
- 85 / 100
- Indication
- Cosmetic/Anti-aging
- Origin
- USA
- Source category
- Skin & Dermatology
- Status group
- Research chemical
Mechanism
Balances matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors to remodel collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans; drives fibroblast growth via TGF-β/SMAD signaling, recruits stem cells and growth factors (VEGF, FGF, NGF) to wounds, and lowers inflammatory cytokines while raising antioxidant activity.
Safety file
Very safe topically, with occasional mild irritation. Injectable/systemic use risks copper toxicity if unmonitored; avoid in Wilson’s disease or active cancer.
- Skin irritation
- Redness
- Contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals