A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma. Your body produces it naturally — but levels drop sharply as you age. Studied in clinical trials for collagen production, skin renewal, and gene expression in over 4,000 human genes.
Also known as: Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper, CT-1
GHK-Cu is not a foreign substance — it is a tripeptide your body produces naturally. At its peak in your 20s, it circulates freely and keeps tissue repair, collagen production, and cellular maintenance running smoothly. The issue: by age 60, natural levels have dropped by roughly 60%.
Natural GHK-Cu plasma levels across age groups — Pickart and Margolina, Int J Mol Sci, 2018
Measured in biopsy studies — same conditions, same measurement method.
Collagen production improvement vs untreated control. Thigh skin biopsy study — 1 month treatment.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2005GHK-Cu does not work through a single pathway. It acts simultaneously as a copper delivery vehicle, a collagen production signal, and a gene expression regulator — which is why its effects are so broad.
GHK-Cu has been used in cosmetic formulations since the 1980s and has accumulated a substantial safety record. No serious adverse events have been reported in any published clinical trial. The following reflects published clinical data.
Copper toxicity is theoretically possible with extreme overuse but has not been reported in any published study at research doses. The body has efficient copper regulation mechanisms, and GHK-Cu doses used in research fall well below any threshold of concern. Long history of safe use in cosmetic formulations since the 1980s.
Research Use Only. GHK-Cu clinical data is from one controlled facial trial and biopsy studies. Gene expression data is from in vitro fibroblast research. This product is sold strictly for laboratory research purposes only and is not approved by the FDA for therapeutic use. By purchasing you confirm you are a qualified researcher. View full policy.